With Friday being wet the test times ata slippery Oulton Park were not to be taken as representative of dry pace once Saturday morning dawned. Qualifying saw Mike Gardiner driving the Moore Racing prepared Dodge Viper take the outside of the front row alongside the ever improving Corvette C5R of Mitch Millet, followed by a clutch of Porsches.

Race 1 saw the bright yellow Corvette take the lead into the first corner and although Mike used all of his experience to try to keep with it, the lighter Corvette's pace proved too much through the tight twists of Oulton Park. The Corvette benefiting from less success ballast managed to stay tantalisingly ahead through the traffic. At the flag the gap was small but still comfotable for the V8 over the Viper. Clearly a new strategy would be required for Race 2 where the cars would start in the same positions.

In Race 2 Mike made the perfect getaway as the lights went green and managed to hold off the Corvette through the first two corners. Unable to build a serious gap Mike was forced to constantly cover the line into a number of bends to defend the lead. Defending the lead allowed the Corvette to stay in close contact, but not quite get along side on the narrow Cheshire track. The first six laps were very tense for the Moore Racing crew as they watched the Viper stay just ahead. After lap 6 the leaders caught the backmarkers and using many years of experience Mike managed to eke a lead through the traffic. A missed gear from the Corvette extended the lead to a race winning, but never comfortable margin.

Clearly battle will be re-joined between the two big american muscle cars at Donington in three weeks time.

All photos by Mick Herring