MICHAEL Bentwood opened a new chapter in his motor racing career at Donington Park in round one of the British GT Championship.

After competing in the world renowned British Touring Car Championship in 2004 Michael has switched codes to sportscar racing for 2005.

Bentwood will be racing a Nissan 350Z with co-driver Ally McKever. "This season I've gone from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive and 275 horsepower to 475 horsepower, it's great to be driving something a bit more exciting than a touring car," says Michael.

The Nissan is being prepared by RJN Motorsport, a team well-versed in endurance racing having taken part in the gruelling Dakar Rally.

The 27-year-old from Hale got his sportscar career off to a flying start by qualifying the Nissan in 10th place for the two-hour race at Donington Park, 1.3 seconds quicker than his co-driver.

"The car straight out of the box was pretty quick," says Michael. "But we knew we hadn't done any long runs in testing, and we we're unsure if the car would last the race because of brake problems we were experiencing."

"I'd managed to drive round the problem all weekend, but it caught Ally McKever out at the Old Hairpin and he went off."

The race was approaching half-distance and the car had been running in a respectable eighth place when McKever span off.

"We've had very little testing and there's lots of development to come from the car, and we should do well as the season progresses."

"I'm really impressed with team, you can tell that they've got lots of experience. They know what long distance racing is all about." Every body is talking about the car because it is so new and exciting but we must keep the momentum going,” says Michael.

"We're going to be having a comprehensive test before the next round at Magny Cours, to solve the brake dramas and to help me become more accustomed to the Nissan 350Z.”

This year the British GT Championship will be travelling to new circuits in Europe such as Magny-Cours in France that will provide Michael with even more of a challenge, "we're hoping to be invited to Dubai at the end of the year if our performance warrants, I really want to be there and we must be finishing in the top six by mid season,” says Michael.

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