Hynes retakes Championship lead

The Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mugen Honda driver made the best getaway from pole position, then managed to pull away over the first lap as fellow front-row starter Jenson Button battled his way ahead of erstwhile series leader Luciano Burti.

Button stormed down the inside into the Goddard hairpin to take second place, but was too far behind Hynes to mount any challenge in his Promatecme Dallara-Renault.

'I didn't make that good a start,' said Button. 'I almost stalled the engine and was a bit cautious at the first corner, and that let Luciano past.

'I've always been good at Goddard under braking and it paid off, but by that time Marc was too far ahead and I couldn't catch him.'

Hynes acknowledged, 'Even my start wasn't the best one. After Jenson and Luciano held each other up it was pretty easy.

'I put my head down for three laps and then cruised around. Pretty boring for everyone, but good for me in the championship.'

Stewart Racing driver Burti vowed to end his points-collecting tactics after dropping seven points adrift of Hynes in the series.

'Jenson went for a do-or-die move - I thought he looked committed so unfortunately he was able to second place off me.

'Next time, if he tries again, maybe we're going to crash. I can't afford to be passed and drop points again - I've been very cautious in the last few races.'

Toby Scheckter drove a great race to take fourth in his Speedsport Dallara-Mugen, despite playing a part in a first lap collision with Narain Karthikeyan, the legacy of which forced National Class ace Martin O'Connell out of the race.

Scheckter recovered to hunt down Andrew Kirkaldy, then passed the Scot with a blinding move at Redgate with two wheels on the grass.

Kirkaldy was then forced to hold off an attack from Pembrey winner Kristian Kolby, the Dane having to settle for sixth after experiencing brake problems all weekend.

Kolby's Fortec team mate, Matt Davies, was similarly afflicted.

He charged from 13th in the early stages, but could not better Tim Spouge in the battle
for seventh.

Michael Bentwood and Doug Bell completed the top 10, while Karthikeyan retired with suspension damage.

John Bender inherited National Class honours with O'Connell's retirement, although the latter has now clinched the championship in the division with three rounds still to go.

Results table to follow.