If the experienced teams from previous events thought they were going to have it easy in the Grand Prix Finals, then the first leg showed them otherwise, with three of the top five spots going to rookie schools.

In winning Heat 5, Darrick Wood showed that they could compete with the top teams, but they far exceeded the 18 laps they had completed in their heat by producing a blistering drive in GP1 to win by an astonishing five laps. When you consider their relative inexperience as well as the busy track conditions, it really was an excellent achievement.

Kirk Hallam and Toot Hill produced totals in the mid-twenties but never came close to winning, whilst a rejuvenated Lord Williams team snatched fourth place by virtue of the fastest average time.

It was a great testament to the skills of the drivers involved that although the track was extremely crowded with 17 cars completing laps, major incidents were at a premium and although the marshals were busy, only a few cars needed returning to the pits.

Schools that had difficulties in the first race included past Champions Ash Manor, who retired early on in a bid to get ready for the second race. Champions Langley Park also had difficulties and were forced to switch to their spare car.