YOUNG racing drivers Phil Hanson and Nigel Moore posted astonishing fastest lap times in the Tockwith Motorsport Audi R8 LMS at Snetterton - despite the car having caught fire earlier in the same race.

The Norfolk circuit hosted the second round of the Britcar Dunlop Endurance Championship and in mid-20s heat, and as the clock ran down, timing screens showed the York team's Audi posting figures nearly five seconds quicker than the eventual winner of the four-hour race - the Ferrari 458 of Mike and Anthony Wilds.

The car had already shown its potential by winning the first round at a rain-drenched Silverstone by more than two minutes and many thought a repeat was on the cards.

Others felt the big V8-powered Mosler MT900, piloted by Spaniards Manuel Cintrano and Javier Morcillo, would get the upper hand.

The Audi was fastest in the free practice session but the Mosler, having had to be recovered from a gravel trap, still grabbed pole by just over half a second.

The race started cleanly but the Audi had to contend with third place until an hour in when it headed into the pits, its hazard lights suggesting a problem had surfaced.

Then on the long Bentley Straight, fire broke out in the engine compartment and marshals quickly doused the flames with extinguishers.

The car was towed back to the pits but, after inspection by scrutineers, it was to head back out onto the circuit after nearly an hour's hard work by the team.

Finishing third in class, and 12th overall, means the Tockwith team continued to accrue points vital for their long-term goal of championship success. The series continues at Donington on June 4.