Benji Hetherington took the victory in the wet (Photo Credit: Karl Bowdrey Photography)
Race Two of the GT Cup at Donington was to take place in dreadful conditions thanks to heavy rain and strong winds. However it was left to Benji Hetherington who conquered all to take the first ever victory for the JMH Automotive team's Nissan GT-R
As in race one the day before, Derek Johnston got off to a good start from fourth on the grid in his Ferrari 458 to tuck in behind the pole sitter Martin Short's Mosler after turn one. Sitting close behind, the Ferrari made its move at the end of the Dunlop straight on the opening lap to take the lead. It was to be a short lived affair out front for Johnston though as on lap two a spin a Hollywood left the prancing horse stuck in the gravel. After recovery, Johnston was left to complete the race three laps down.
Meanwhile, Short who had inherited the lead after the Ferrari's mistake was left to try and fight of the Nissan that was now after the race lead thanks to the Mosler's struggle for grip in the adverse conditions. Despite a spirited defence, Hetherington was to take the lead on lap six at the old hairpin leaving the Mosler with no response and the Nissan a free run to the chequered flag and victory on lap 17. Dan Stringfellow and his BMW E46 M3 was left to complete the group one podium but didn't take third place overall.
The overall third place went to Harry Whale, who provided great entertainment for the fans who were brave enough to stick out the rain as he fought through the pack from the back of the grid to make up for his off early on in race one. It was an impressive victory for Harry who was experiencing his first race in wet conditions with the Porsche 997 and he took to it like a duck to water, recording the second fastest lap overall in the process. Peter Smallwood clung on to second place despite a late off in his Porsche 997 leaving the Chevron GR8 of David Witt to round out the group two top three.
Another impressive performer was Lee Mowle who claimed honours in Group three and fifth place overall after his Ginetta G50 was trading places with the group one Mosler of Kevin Riley in the early stages of the race. An off at Redgate wasn't enough to stop Mowle taking his second win of the weekend ahead of the Porsche 996 of Chris Bentley. Unfortunately, Colin Broster in the third group three car was baffled by the handling of his 996 and struggled to keep it in a straight line eventually retiring on lap eight.
