James Cottingham triumphed in a superb Masters GT Challenge race that kicked off Grand Prix day at Silverstone after Julian Thomas and Andrew Jordan tangled when vying for the lead on the last lap.

Jordan (AC Cobra Daytona Coupe) made a demon start to lead the pack into Abbey for the first time with Julian Thomas (Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe) breathing down his neck. Thomas tried to grab the lead repeatedly and each time drifted wide and Jordan nipped back ached, but by lap eight finally made a move stick and assumed the lead.

Jordan applied plenty of pressure, flashing his headlights as well to distract the leader, and forced a couple of tiny errors out of Thomas. Jordan made one last charge and drew level with Thomas approaching Stowe for the last time, both braking as late as they dare. Jordan needed to brake later and as he did, the car started to lose traction and slid slightly, just clipping Thomas who was turning into Stowe and causing both to spin. Thomas recovered ahead of Jordan but James Cottingham (Shelby Cobra) moved into the lead to take a surprise win, while John Davison (TVR Griffith) took second ahead of the similar car of John Spiers.

Thomas and Jordan crossed the line fourth and fifth while sixth went to Matthew Wrigley (Jaguar E-type). Class wins went to Cottingham, Eddie Powell who hauled his Lotus Elan up from the rear of the grid, Jeremy Welch (Austin Healey 3000) and Billy Bellinger (Morgan 4/4).