Vikz

"Goon" got a great exit out of the chicane on lap 286 and I fell three car lengths behind as we hit the main straight to start lap 287.

Closed right up under braking into T1 and with less than 4 minutes remaining on the clock, it had to be this lap.

I concentrated on staying as close to him as possible without compromising my corner exit. I braked slightly earlier than him at the slowish T5 and managed to accelerate out of the corner much faster.

We approached the slow left T6 again and I stayed on the inside line while "Goon" had the racing line.

I kept a close eye on his brake light and when I saw them glow red, I decided that “t’was time”.

Waited a fraction longer and then stood on the brakes and I was alongside him on the inside of the corner. Because I braked later and was on the wrong line, I ran slightly wide and was afraid "Goon" was going to retake the position, but managed to exit the corner ahead.

Gareth

Again Vikz attacks at T1, and I sense an apprehension similar to mine. Let's not take each other out! If I can stay mistake free I can use this to my advantage.

The tyres are starting to betray me now, and on the flat 5th gear left in the infield, I'm leaning heavily on the now vastly overworked rear right.

The car lurches on the bump, traction control kicks in and I lift momentarily, desperate to avoid spin.

Vikz closes up through the next slow turn.

Into the last hairpin turn he can see I am unsettled and on the back foot.

I hate this turn!

I take it way too cautiously, expose the inside line and Vikz darts up the inside.