Drayson wins in thrilling ALMS finish

Jonny Cocker swept past CytoSport Porsche driver Klaus Graf in the final moments to claim the win as the Porsche ran low on fuel. Cocker had been only fourth going into the final three laps having made a late splash and go pitstop, but blasted past the Dyson Lola-Mazda and Highcroft HPD before hunting down Graf.

The Drayson Lola-Judd had started from pole following a dominant Saturday performance by Cocker. His team-mate Paul Drayson could not keep up with the leaders early on, but kept the car on the lead lap, giving Cocker a chance to challenge when he took over under yellow.

It was series returnee Johnny Mowlem who had led at first for the underdog Autocon team - making the most of the Lola's power to blast from fifth to first on lap one. He held on despite pressure from Simon Pagenaud (Highcroft), Chris Dyson (Dyson) and Timo Bernhard (CytoSport), only for a gearbox problem just before the hour mark to spoil the team's great run.

Cocker only hit the front with 55 minutes remaining, when he surged from third to first at a restart and then charged away into a 36-second lead. But while Cocker flew, his rivals were trying to save fuel to avoid a final pitstop - which meant when the Drayson Lola pitted, it fell to fourth behind new leader Graf, who had a few seconds' advantage over the squabbling David Brabham and Guy Smith.

Despite their best efforts, the LMP2-based Lola-Mazda and HPD could not resist the Drayson Lola, as Cocker blasted past both into Turn 5 on consecutive laps.

It looked like Graf had built a sufficient lead in the meantime, but Cocker gave it everything on the final tour and then grabbed the victory when the Porsche had to ease off, although Graf was still able to cross the line second. Brabham held off Smith for third.

Rahal Letterman BMW lost its #92 Bill Auberlen/Tommy Milner entry in a dramatic early clash with the LMPC championship-leading Level 5 car of Scott Tucker, but the sister #90 BMW driven by Joey Hand and Dirk Muller grabbed the GT win, just ahead of the #45 Flying Lizard Porsche and the #4 Corvette.

The Green Earth Gunnar squad emerged on top in LMPC, with Black Swan taking another GTC victory.