Professional dual sportswoman Liz Halliday enjoyed an eventful Lotus Cup UK round at a sweltering Brands Hatch circuit last weekend (18/19 August) that included an incredible near miss with a spinning rival and a spirited drive to second in class.Run as part of the annual Lotus Festivalwhich celebrates the iconic marques glittering motoring and competition historySunday's race was contested on the Kent venue's challenging 2.6-mile Grand Prix Circuit.Mechanical problems would limit Halliday's track time during practice and, having not driven the GP configuration in close to a decade, left her and the John Danby Racing squad playing catch-up come qualifying. However, a spirited effort would see her take an impressive third in the highly-competitive 2-Eleven class and sixth overall on the busy Festival grid. Sizzling race day temperatures injected an extra physical challenge into Sundays contest, a factor that would work in the favour of dual sportswoman Halliday who also competes at international level 3-Day Eventing.However her hopes were nearly dashed at the start as a rival 2-Eleven spun ahead of her at Paddock Hill Bend, forcing Halliday to take rapid evasive action. Indeed, her remarkably quick reflexes prevented what looked a near certain and serious accident.Despite avoiding disaster, that close call did cost Halliday a number of positions as her race-saving manoeuvre allowed several cars to slip by. This would result in a charging recovery drive as she worked her way back towards the front of the field. Despite losing time when the race was neutralised during two safety car periods, she made several overtaking moves to return to the head of both the 2-Eleven and overall packs. Indeed, as the race reached its concluding stages she was chasing down class leader Mark Gooday at a relentless rate, taking nearly a second a lap out of his advantage. Unfortunately time was against her charge for glory and she took the chequered flag second in class and fourth overall in the 43-car-strong field. Despite perhaps feeling victory had been within her grasp, she will nevertheless take heart from the pace displayed in a sterling performance.Liz Halliday: "Overall I'm pleased with the weekend as we were able to show excellent speed and enjoyed a trouble-free run in the race. Naturally I'm frustrated to have missed out on track time during Saturday practice as I think that with a bit more running I could have challenged for pole. But the team did a great job to get the car ready for qualifying and the race so hats off to them for their work."As for the Paddock Hill incident, it was definitely the save of my career! I'm not sure how I managed to avoid the spinning car and it was only a few corners later that I said to myself 'wowthat was close!' Unfortunately it dropped me back several places and, if I'm honest, I think it cost me the win. That said it was good fun catching and passing people out there and second in class is still very satisfying. We've got the pace to win, now all we need is a bit of luck and reliability to fall our way to make it happen."Digital channel Motors TV will broadcast Liz's Brands Hatch exploits on Monday 10 September at 5.50pm, with repeats airing throughout the following week. Her next motorsport engagement comes on Sunday 2 September, when she will join the British Women Racing Drivers Club's  50th anniversary celebrations at Chelsea AutoLegends Festival by taking part in the HR Owen Women in Motorsport Parade.