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Qualifying session 2
The team were looking to improve on the second place from Q1, but unfortunately, traffic once more played a part and the team would line up third for race two on Sunday.
Race 1 A real rough and tumble affair punctuated by Safety Car periods, almost from the start, well from lap 2! With a mad flurry and rush of teams wanting to take advantage of one of the Safety Car periods the pitlane was absolute mayhem. Confusion reigned, but the team completed an excellent stop and got the car out ahead of the competition. Unfortunately yet another safety car period allowed the #55 Rob Austin car to effectively gain a lap on the IMS Motorsport car and brought a halt to any thought of a charging finish from Stewart. The team were happy to end the day with a 2nd place, especially as there had been so many DNFs.. They extended their championship lead over the #52 GT4 car by two more points. They also took charge of the Team Championship standings as well, prior to this they had been level with the RPM team, by virtue of their three car strong attack.
Sunday
Morning practice, the team and drivers were still looking for a good setup, even though they had finished second, they felt that there was still more time to come from them and the car. They gave another setup a run through in the time allowed, ten minutes. The IMS Motorsport car would once more top the times for a session and ended it pleased with the adjustment that they had made.
Race 2 A bizarre race, luckily without the recurring Safety Car periods of race 1, the race was panning out to be a four way battle which would see four GT4 G50s battling it out at the front of the class lead. Then the driver changes were made and suddenly #51 and #55 were stopped from leaving the pitlane as their brake lights were noted by the MSA officials to be not working.. #55 worked on solving the problem, and would make the end of the race, but not reach the required number of laps to qualify for points. The IMS Motorsport car gladly took the change in fortunes and found itself running in second, but waiting for the #99 Beechdean car to pit.. Once the Aston Martin pitted and changed driver the IMS Motorsport car took the lead and wouldn't relinquish it! A stark contrast to the previous day! The race was ended prematurely with a red flag (two minutes from the end) and the team came home in first place! The IMS Motorsport car extended both their drivers championship and team championship lead by a further two points.
There is now a long wait until the next two rounds at Rockingham in Northamptonshire. A great circuit for GT racing and spectating!
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