The Indy circuit at Brands Hatch has always been a great spectators' circuit and indeed many drivers enjoy it, but overtaking can be tricky so there is an almost Monaco type importance to qualifying. Practice showed it to be business as usual for Nissan with both drivers quick. Rydell's Volvo however found a tenth or so in qualifying proper and this was enough to leap to the Feature Race pole and 2nd on the Sprint grid. Rydell though has been relegated to a bit player in the championship battle and it was Aiello who was looking in control with an absolutely scorching lap in the one shot session, the only driver to dip below 46.5 in the whole weekend. Leslie and Thompson occupied the 2nd row for both races - a welcome return for Thompson after seeing his championship chances all but expire at Knockhill.

Neal was again too fast for many factory teams claiming 5th place on the Sprint Race grid. Further back there were some disappointments for the Mondeo drivers after the speed found North of the border, 5th and 6th row positions not what they'd been expecting. Tarquini turned out again in the 3rd Honda entry but failed to live up to high standards he'd set at the previous round - a lap 0.6s adrift of Thompson's time saw him 9 places further back. It was very tight with the first 12 on the Feature Race grid covered by 0.5s.

Getting into Paddock 1st when the lights turn to green is frequently not the honour of the polesitter and in the Sprint race it was Rydell who had the corner. Aiello was almost falling into the clutches of an eager Thompson but held on. Leslie also went backwards at the start being displaced by Neal's private Nissan. Unfortunately for David he became stuck there regardless of his efforts until Neal finally let him through on the final lap so as not to influence the championship outcome, it being an all Nissan affair. And so the parade continued with Aiello unable to create any overtaking opportunities - with Leslie and Thompson behind there was no need for heroics and the championship lead was duly extended.

The start of the Feature Race again saw the polesitter fail to capitalise but this time it was Aiello with the advantage. Leslie and Thompson kept station. Further back Reid, not the type to hang around had taken Druids on the outside of Neal, the classic manouvre to get the inside line into Graham Hill bend. This he duly executed but his team-mate tried to follow him through and the resultant coming together between the former champion and the Michelin Cup winner deposited Menu in the barriers and left Matt Neal struggling without power steering.

There was more incident at the back as a frustrated Muller tried to force his Vectra past the off form Tarquini. Both ended up in the gravel trap. All the debris needed clearing and the result was a 5 lap interlude behind the Safety Car. This brought the pit stop window very close and the big chance to make up places. The loser was Rydell - by the time the stops were over he was circulating in a lowly 5th position with Aiello disappearing into the distance and Leslie, Thompson and Kox all promoted. Thompson appeared to have serious ambitions to demote Leslie but try as he might there was no way through. He kept it all together and 2 podium finishes must have cheered him up after the last few disastrous outings which have seen his championship challenge dashed.

Aiello thus cruised home to a comfortable win, his ninth of the season. His only challenger for the title is now his teamate Leslie now some 22 points adrift. However, Leslie shows patience and consistency - it only needs a non finish from Aiello to put him back in the frame. With Thompson and Rydell keen to rack up more wins Aiello will not have an easy ride. The next rounds are at Oulton Park which earlier in the season proved to be a Nissan benefit. The Mondeos finished well there last time out and with both drivers hungry for success they should feature. The chances of the championship decider being at the Silverstone finale remain high and hopefully will result in an almighty battle between teammates in the Prost/Senna tradition. Try and make the trip.

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