Gold Coast Thursday Practice

AUSTRALIAN GT PRODUCTION CAR RACING

INDY PRACTICE 14th OCTOBER 1999

LOCAL BMW ACE TACKLES QUEENSLAND DOWNPOUR

Local Gold Coast ace Beric Lynton is set to throw down a challenge to Porsche and Ferrari with a strong performance aboard his BMW M3-R in practice for the QR City Train GTP Classic at the Honda Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

Lynton was third fastest in the wet opening session and again ventured out in the afternoon practice when conditions became even worse. The BMW driver topped the timesheet and is confident of a strong showing this weekend.

"The conditions were very tricky out there but everything seems to be going well so far," Lynton said.

"There was a large puddle of water before the first chicane and the car was aquaplaning quite badly through there.

"My aim is going to try to get a pair of strong results and keep out of trouble over the weekend.

"The Porsche 911 RSCSs and Wayne Park’s Ferrari F355 Challenge will be tough but the two races are combined for the final result on Sunday, so if you are consistent, a podium finish is not out of the question.

"I love competing here on the Coast because I drive up and down these roads all year."

Jim Richards and series returnee Cameron McConville were first and second in the Meguiar’s Top Marques Class A division in the opening practice session, but both Porsche 911 RSCS drivers left their cars in the paddock in the second session - saving their machines for qualifying tomorrow.

Wayne Park’s attack aboard the Ferrari F355 Challenge was hindered after the car shed an alternator belt early in both practice sessions.

The combination of a damp track and a series of tight 90 degree corners played right into the hands of the dominant four wheel drive machines in the Autobarn Class B division.

Sydney driver Garry Holt was fastest in both sessions aboard his Subaru Impreza WRX (and fourth outright in the second session) while Mark King’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III and WRX team-mates Scott Jacob and Iron Man hero Grant Kenny also put in competitive times.

David Ratcliff’s Toyota Camry CSi headed the timesheets in Class C ahead of an impressive performance from newcomer Warren Millett aboard his Holden Commodore VT SS.

Iron Man Guy Andrews was fourth fastest in the opening session aboard the Ford Falcon AU XR6 Autobarn/Century Batteries competition prize car.

GTP LIGHTS

Carol Jackson is out to perform well at the Honda Indy 300 aboard her Honda Civic VTi-R and completed two strong sessions despite the torrential rain.

Nigel Williams made a successful return to GTP in the Class E division aboard his Suzuki Swift GTi.

Williams was fastest ahead of Sue Hughes and Aaron McGill in similar machines.

RESULTS PRACTICE ONE 1. - Jim Richards, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) - 2:20.551 2. - Cam McConville, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) - 2:23.219 3. - Beric Lynton, BMW M3R (A) - 2:26.262 4. - Ed Aitken, Porsche 911 RSCS (A) - 2:29.939 Class B - Garry Holt, Subaru Impreza WRX (B) - 2:30.505 Class C - David Ratcliff, Toyota Camry CSi - 2:38.910 Class D - Carol Jackson, Honda Civic VTi-R - 2:49.133 Class E - Nigel Williams, Suzuki Swift GTi - 2:45.006 Class S - Michael Simpson, BMW 323i - 2:35.467

PRACTICE TWO 1. - Beric Lynton, BMW M3R (A) - 2:22.342 2. - John Teulan, Nissan Skyline GT-R (A) - 2:26.086 3. - Wayne Park, Ferrari F355 Challenge (A) - 2:28.230 4. - Garry Holt, Subaru Impreza WRX (B) - 2:29.093 Class C - David Ratcliff, Toyota Camry CSi - 2:36.103 Class D - Carol Jackson, Honda Civic VTi-R - 2:47.940 Class E - Nigel Williams, Suzuki Swift GTi - 2:43.571 Class S - Michael Simpson, BMW 323i - 2:33.858

Paul Ryan http://www.gtprod.com.au/ paul@pr2.com.au