Ian Loggie's British GT Championship defence ends at Brands Hatch

After the latest round at Brands Hatch, the Northwich racer and Jules Gounon are too far behind in the 2 Seas Motorsport car to catch the current leaders.

Practice got going nice and early before everything got too hot, and the teams were looking to maximise the cooler track.

The one-hour session gave the guys plenty of track time and Loggie and Gounon certainly put in the laps. With 31 completed between them, they posted the second fastest time of 1:25.361 at an average speed of over 102mph.

The second free practice was held just after midday and it was scorching, the inside temperature of the cars being around 80°C and it was a real challenge for the drivers.

This time, the No1 AMG GT3 Mercedes didn't look like it had the pace and although managed 21 laps, Loggie and Gounon were only fifth fastest although going faster than the morning session.

Come qualifying at 4pm the heat was almost unbearable, and it seemed any gremlins from free practice two were still there as the team could only manage a combined fifth place on the grid. Championship leaders and 2 Seas teammates James Cottingham and Johnny Adam took pole position.

Ian Loggie tackling Brands Hatch (Image: Ste McNorton)

Sunday’s two-hour race was again in sweltering conditions.

And as the lights went on the traditional rolling start, Loggie had a disaster.

A coming together between him and Kevin Tse in the Sky Tempesta Racing McLaren caused Loggie to spin at the Paddock Hill bend, dropping him to last place - a huge moment in the championship.

But he was not going to be beaten that easy, he battled back and by lap 34 he was 10th albeit helped by pit stops.

After the mandatory pit stops for the teams about mid-race, Gounon took over and was flying from the off, made some brilliant overtakes and by the end of the race the No 1 Mercedes had clawed its way back to fourth - a great effort in tough circumstances.

Loggie now sits 42.5 points behind leaders Cottingham and Adam, and with only one round left at Donington and 25 points for a win, he is out of the running.