Before we moved on to St Pete, we heard the tragic news that David Leslie and Richard Lloyd had been involved in a horrible aeroplane accident in the UK. I knew both men really well, and David had been a judge on the MSA British Race Elite programme on the Wednesday before the accident. Everyone was, and is still, in shock and our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
St Pete was good for us last season, as it was where we picked up our first podium, so we confident heading back there this year. The shorter track has always suited the Acuras, although the Porsches have also got quicker from last year, so we knew a good battle was ahead of us.
We qualified third, just behind the Dumas Penske and a surprise pole for the Audi - I thought they would be quick, but they really kicked our butts!
Scott got a good start and was running strongly, then I jumped in and continued the good work. The car ran well again and we took a strong finish, third overall and second in the P2 class between the two Penske Porsches. The Highcroft team's pit-stop was fast and we stayed out of trouble all race, while others didn't. I must also thank Bryan Herta for getting out of the way on the restart two laps from the end, as I had Pat Long in the Penske trying to get past me and really had to make the car wide for those two laps. Bryan was a lap down, which was a shame as they had a fast car in the race, but proved to be a fair competitor.
It's onto Long Beach next, and another street race which will be good for us. We need to improve a little to get our first win, but we are close now. We're second in the championship, so we need to catch the leading Penske Porsche and beat them.
Finally, on an unrelated note, it looks as though
Max Mosley has got himself into a bit of trouble. I think it is a shame that it has come to this, because I think he has done some good for the sport. What happens next? Who knows.
DB
