Jim Geddie took his second one-hour victory of the 2007 Apex Tubulars Porsche Open season at Silverstone, sharing his 997 GT3 Cup with fellow Scot Gordon Shedden on the way to an impressive victory. Closest challenger was Colin Willmott - the only car to finish on the same lap despite two spins at Becketts. Steve Rance took fourth and headed up Class Two, while Mike Johnson won Class Three having battled with Mark Chilton before the latter suffered a smoky demise on the pit straight.

QualifyingThe Geddie  / Shedden duo claimed pole, with Willmott alongside and the potent Paul McLain and Peter Fairbairn GT2 R right behind. Shedden also qualified Tommy Dreelan's car fourth quickest, and was going to switch cars mid-race, but Dreelan was ultimately unable to get to the circuit so that car did not start.

Race

Shedden had never done a race start in a 997 before and was justifiably careful with Geddie's car, Willmott taking the lead and McLean tucking in behind. Willmott was caught out by his cold tyres on the opening lap and spun at Becketts, putting McLean into the lead.

Rupert Lewin took his 996 GT2 past Nick Staveley and into third, Lewin having suffered tyre issues in qualifying that had let to severe vibrations. Shedden moved to the front on lap four, and set about opening a gap with a series of consistent laps. McLean peeled off into the pit lane on lap 16 - before the pit stop window had opened - having lost an engine belt, and rejoined, but the extra stop had ruined that car's chances of a strong finish.

Shedden continued to ease away, lapping more and more of the field and opening a gap of over 30 seconds on the recovering Willmott (who had indulged in another Becketts spin) before he pitted on his 35th lap, the team changing the 997's left rear tyre. Geddie rejoined with a healthy lead - Willmott virtually a lap behind - and brought the car home for the win despite Willmott closing dramatically in the final laps as Geddie took no risks after Chilton's 928 blew its engine on the pit straight.

"I really backed off the last two laps," said Geddie, "I could see oil down on the track and I knew we had a gap. It's great to take the win - especially as Gordon had not driven the 997 before today."

"That was great once I got the car going," said Touring Car star Shedden. "I really enjoyed the GT3 and I'd like to do more races if my schedule permits."

Willmott was pleased with second, despite his spins: "Racing is supposed to be all about keeping it on the island - not spinning twice at the same corner! The car was phenomenal, really great through traffic."

Nick Staveley demoted Rance from third in the final laps, but the latter still kept up his record of claiming Class Two in the 2007 one-hour races to date.

"Qualifying was my first time out at Silverstone, which was why I was further down than I expected," said Rance, "so to finish fourth overall and take the class is great."

Mike Johnson continued his Class Three run of wins, but only after trading places with Chilton prior to his engine problems. "Mark was giving me a really good race," said Johnson, "I had to keep it really smooth to live with him and we had a brilliant battle. I had to treat my pit stop as if it was Formula One - as fast as I dared then right down to the pit lane speed limit at the line - and that saw me emerge ahead of him."

Apex Tubulars Porsche Open One Hour Race (58 LAPS) 1 Jim Geddie / Gordon Sheddon (997 GT3 Cup) 1h00m05.576s (94.88 mph); 2 Colin Willmott (997 GT3 Cup) 1h00m17.398s; 3 Nick Staveley (997 GT3 Cup); 4 Steven Rance (996 GT3 Cup); 5 Bob Lyons / George Brewster (996 GT3 Cup); 6 Gerry Harrison (996 GT3 RSR); 7 Ray Dias / David Mace (911 GT3 Cup); 8 Henry Firman (GT3 Cup); 9 Paul Winter / Tim Speed (996 GT3 Cup); 10 Peter Fairbairn / PaulMcLean (GT2 R). CW Geddie / Sheddon; Rance; Mike Johnson (911 SC). FL Geddie / Sheddon 58.606s (100.65mph).

Next rounds: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, June 16th / 17th