SPRINT RACE

Rydell had claimed pole position for the sprint race - with the Honda Accord of Tom Kristensen separating the Swede from team-mates Menu and Reid who started from the second row.

Rydell made a clean start, but Menu and Jason Plato provided the opening lap drama when Menu lost control of his car going through Becketts. His race ended in the gravel trap - with Plato limping back to the pits with broken suspension having been unable to avoid the wayward Mondeo. Rydell could not prevent Kristensen from taking the lead - Kristensen making the pass into Priory. There was a further twist in the tale when Gabrielle Tarquini nudged Reid at Luffield, in an almost copybook accident that occurred between the Scot and Vincent Radermecker in the earlier meeting at Silverstone in June. Reid was able to continue but with heavy damage to the rear of the car, Tarquinis' race finished.

Having taken the lead, Kristensen eased away from Rydell who gained Thompson for company. The two battled hard, swapping paint but Thompsons challenge ended when he was forced to run through the gravel trap at Becketts. Kristensen cruised to the win, but with Rydell 2nd and Reid managing to finish the race despite being a lowly 7th - the title was still to be decided.

In class B - Alan Morrison was crowned champion after dominating the class in his Peugeot 306 all season.

FEATURE RACE

So many outcomes were possible with just one race to go that not even the drivers could really fathom what was needed for them to become champion. The equation was made easier before the lights turned green when Rickard Rydells car was pushed from it's grid position back into pit lane after suffering a water leak. The cars of both Rydell and Menu had undergone engine changes before the race.

When the race began, Menu powered to 2nd place past Thompson, but Reid was unable to match the pace of his Swiss team-mate - lapping in the mid field. Pit stops were of paramount importance. Menu's stop of a fraction over 4 seconds gave him the cushion over Reid that he needed as the race for the championship became clearer. With Rydell out - Menu needed to finish 2 positions ahead of Reid. Reid was unable to make his way through the battling cars ahead of him. Matt Neal, Vincent Radermecker and Yvan Muller were providing some stunning action further down the field.

It was Radermecker that ultimately decided the destination of the 2000 driver championship. Contact with Reid out of Maggotts pushed the Scot into the gravel, a sad way for his brave battle to become champion to end.

With news of Reids exit - Menu knew that he could afford to ease off and claim his 2nd drivers title. With just a couple of miles to go, Menu let Plato past and cruised to the finish line taking 3rd place in the race but in the knowledge that it was enough to be champion.

A year on…who knows?!?…