AN ice-cool performance in sweltering conditions has put Jonny Lang top of the class in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship.

Victory in race two and a second in race one at Snetterton cemented the Barrowford businessman's lead at the top of the GTC category.

Lang and team-mate Matt Allison endured unusually hot conditions in both races, with track temperature reaching 40 degrees.

The conditions in the cockpit being more akin to a sauna than a car," said Lang, who races a Porsche 996 GT3 for the Trackspeed team.

The temperatures were unbelievable and it was very difficult to stay hydrated. We did have some drink bottles on board, but by the time the race had finished it was like drinking hot tea!

But it was some weekend for us. It would have been great to get a double victory, but at least it was our team-mates who pipped us to the flag in race two.' And our rivals, Jon Finnemore and Chris Beighton, failed to finish race two in their Marcos, with the result we've now put a six-point bit of daylight between them and us.'' Lang and Allison will next be in action in the British GT Championship round at Rockingham on August 12-13.

It's another debut circuit for the former Formula Ford racer, and The US-style track at Corby, Northants will be difficult to learn. He said: Rockingham will be an interesting weekend because I haven't driven the Porsche there and testing is limited.

The six-point advantage we now have puts us in a very strong position, and we now have to think very hard about our race strategy.

Winning is what it's all about, but our main aim is to finish and collect as many points as we can. But however we do it, we will be looking to extend our lead in the championship.'' l JONNY Lang is sponsored by Aston Ventures, ATL Surveys of Blacko, and Optic Lighting of Nelson.

GTC class driver standings: 1: Jonny Lang/Matt Allison (Porsche) 55 points; 2: Jon Finnemore/Chris Beighton (Marcos) 49pts;