Whilst these three were clear, as Empire had a mirror full of cars all race.  He looked to be under real pressure from Wambogini, the Alfa catching the Subaru as we headed into the last 10 laps, this was helped by a back marker deciding it want to race the 4th placed Subaru!  Empire finally got past, but now Wambogini had to try and do the same and two laps of being held up resulted in the Alfa going off in an attempt to pass, and allowing the train of JRush, RangersRick, Maj and AtomStew through.  Now this group had the same issues and it was game on to which one would come out top, one white Audi was not proving popular.  JRush and RangersRick were fighting hard, both wanting to take the 5th place, but careful not to allow Maj to sneak through, he though watching for Stew behind and the recovering Wambogini.  Maj’s task was made easier by AtomStew retiring 2 laps from home, the Mitsubishi a box of neutrals, but he was unable to find a gap and followed the Integra’s over the line, JRush engine going bang in the biggest possible way as he took the flag, the car pulling off before the first corner in plumes of smoke.  All from 4th to 8th had enjoyed the race and the battles, and Rick had a big beaming smile on his face, although you did have to wonder where he would be in the Championship if not for the missed two rounds.  Just behind these were Celtic in 9th, the Quicksilver driver convinced he would have been in on the battle had it not been for a few mistakes, but a head of the Championship leader Bradderstig.  Nikemike’s shock non entry, gave Bradders a chance to put some points on him, and his luck was further in when the SWR Subaru which was running just ahead, had a failure on lap 22 that saw the winner from Maple Valley roll to a halt in retirement.  SWR are believed to be unable to attend Indy next week, and this is all heading in Bradders direction Championship wise.  Next should have been RotaryRhys, who had shown some excellent speed in the BMW, and could have been higher if not for a second stop.  The rookie had found a few issues with brakes, and the stewards have been clear on pushing other cars off to pass, which sadly had happened a little too often, and the penalty issued at the end dropped him down to 14th place.

This promoted Robraceruk to 11th, the rear wheel drive version of the Honda S2000, wasn’t on the same par as the AWD version of his team mate, and although the driver still believes in the car, it was another disappointing result for a driver last season regularly in and around the top 6.  Devil Lord came home next, the Escort not competitive in a straight-line, but also the victim of a bit of ruffing up, he was just glad to keep his lead in Class A, every point now important with the two Integra drivers hot on his tail.  12th was Badbeat, and the winner of the AM class.  Badbeat has watched his lead in the class come down of late, but he was pleased to reverse that trend and also close the gap to the guys a head on pace, which he continues to do, in fact he was battling with a number of ProAm and Pro drivers through the race.  Second in class was Pronag, his early laps were a problem and he had to make two stops, but after this he showed some brilliant pace, the problem was he did it racing with cars a lap ahead of him, and was hit with a penalty that dropped him  to the last finisher on the road.  15th ended up Major Raver, he admitted he could do no more with the car, and pleased he was back up the Pi for next week.

So the non finishers, well Stew was unlucky at the end, but it was another painful day for the AM pair of Hoppers and Devilsboogeyman.  Hoppers ran on his own at the back for the first 27 laps until the car over heated and stopped, whilst Devilsboogeyman had retired the tyre eating under steering Honda long before the end.  Next season can’t come quick enough for the Fife Flyer.  As for KRR, it was a horrible race.  The first lap issues had left BMR Sutton nearly a lap down, and his pace soon saw him being lapped, he to retired before half distance, hoping the next leg of the North America tour will bring better results.

So JT fully deserved the win, as did the other two on the podium, the three of them driving superb races.  The three of them not only getting wet with the bubbly, but with the clouds that had threatened all week finally opening.   Next week sees us at Indianapolis and a power circuit.  Will it be enough to give Bradders a chance to return to the front of the field and cement his place at the top of the Championship?