MICHAEL BENTWOOD drove out of his skin to take his first podium of the year at the British GT round on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit. He was partnered by the quick and vastly experienced touring car ace Anthony Reid. Both drivers were quick from the word go but it was Bentwood that shone in qualifying setting a super fast time, 1.3 secs quicker than his accomplished team mate. "I had three laps to do a time in qualifying so the pressure was on!" said a confident Bentwood.He continued: "Anthony made some positive changes to the car in practice that I had not yet experienced, but the grip just came and I pushed very hard." "The race went well and Anthony put in a strong performance in the first stint. When he brought the car in, we were lying in 6th but the heavens opened on the in lap for the pit stops and all I could think about was that I had never driven the car in the wet," Michael said. "RJN sent me out on intermediate tyres which was absolutely the right choice for most of my stint."Bentwood continued to set fastest laps during the race where he battled through the field to 2nd place. "It began to dry out and the Embassy Porsche was on slick tyres which was the correct tyre for the last 6 laps or so, there was no way I could hold him off and it wasn't worth us pitting so third it was" said Michael The RJN Motorsports team has confirmed that Anthony Reid is to continue alongside Michael Bentwood for the next round of the British GT Championship at Mondello Park.

Having helped take the distinctively coloured Oliis Design backed Nissan 350Z to a podium finish at Silverstone in what was due to be a one-off appearance, the reigning BTCC Independents champion has now agreed to continue with the team for the trip to Ireland next month.

"We deserved a podium at Silverstone," Reid said. "The team have put a lot of effort into the car this year. The Nissan 350Z is really good package for GT Racing and I believe there is a lot more potential there."

Reid was quick to recognise the strong performance that team mate Michael Bentwood put in at Silverstone. Bentwood took the second stint and moved up through the grid in the changeable weather that shaped the Silverstone race.

"I was impressed with Michael's driving," he said. "He got the car on the podium in difficult conditions. I believe we have the strongest driver combination in the championship."

RJN team boss Bob Neville was understandably pleased to be able to keep Reid behind the wheel but took time to join the experienced Scot in praising the work done by Bentwood throughout the season.

"Anthony's arrival should not overshadow the job Michael did for us at Silverstone or during the early part of the season," he said. "With these two in the car again it's good to have consistency and the mix between experience and youth."

Running without works support from Nissan, the RJN team has now clinched the first podium finish for the 350Z in Europe, with the car having improved throughout the course of the season.

Bentwood remains confident that that improvement will again be evident at Mondello.

"The Nissan has great traction and rides the bumps well, so we should continue our progress at Mondello," he said. "The team keep making improvements each round and everything is starting to come together. Obviously I am absolutely delighted with the Silverstone result, especially when power is so important round there. It proves we are making progress in all areas."

Neville is also relishing the challenge of competing on the tight and twisty Irish circuit.

"Most of the other teams have data from the circuits we have visited so far this year," he said. "Being our first year in British GT's and with our limited testing programme we are playing catch up from first free practice. Mondello will be more of a level playing field."

With the recent announcement of talks between series organisers SRO and Motorsport Vision, Neville feels the championship will continue to grow in 2006.

"It's a bit early to be talking about it but the team would love to race at Brands and Oulton next year," he said. "We seem to have reliability and will keep pushing for speed from the car this year so we can plan for a competitive 2006 British GT campaign."Bentwood's young protégé - 14 year old Oliver Webb racing in T cars has also experienced some strong success earning his first pole position at Cadwell Park. He took two second places setting a new lap record in the second race. "To get Pole on such a drivers circuit is impressive" said Bentwood "I am happy with the way he is progressing." Webb has also seen the dangerous side of Motor racing this weekend at Brands Hatch. Webb was lying fourth when he came across a crippled and slow back marker who changed direction at the last minute. Webb was launched into the air before crashing on his roof but both drivers escaped unharmed. "The speed differential was huge and he had no where to go, I'm just glad he is ok but the other drivers race discipline needs attention!" said a grumpy Bentwood Michael will next be competing in a Lotus for the 24hour Britcar race at Silverstone on the 10th & 11th September, before the next GT round at Mondello on the 17th & 18th September.