29.06.2004 "I was taken aback by the way everything looked, the trucks were brand new, the team kit looked great, the car looked gorgeous": David Brabham ALMS Mid Ohio race report

Travelling at 30,000 feet in the big jumbo taking me to the States, my thoughts were on how the new Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT was going to be.

I was visualising the look of the car and how I might be sitting in it. I found myself getting excited at the prospect of a new car and a new team - although it's not like I am new to this, as it has happened a lot in my career, I still get a buzz from it.

When I arrived, I was taken aback by the way everything looked. The trucks were brand new, the team kit looked great, the car looked gorgeous. If looks were anything to go by, we had already won!

The other thing to note was the amount of interest there was in the Lambos. The back of the garage was always full of people trying to get a look at the sleek new arrival. There were photos, questions about the car - it was great to see such enthusiasm about our new team. I was getting so many questions about the car even before I had managed to do a lap, all I could say was 'I don't know yet, it just arrived and it hasn't turned a wheel'.

Practice didn't go that well as the #6 car driven by team owner Tracy Krohn ended its first lap in a crash. Tracy got a bit wide on one of the corners and then a Porsche appeared and they hit each other. The damage was bad for both cars, but the no6 Lambo wasn't going on the track again as a new rear end had to be put on.

Our car went really well for the first run, however, and it was a relief to see the car going round and round. With a new car, it is important to have no problems as we need as much time on the track as possible.

Qualifying was up to me as I knew the beautiful Mid-Ohio track, and my team-mate, Peter Kox, didn't. I went quicker than I thought I could, but we were still three seconds slower than the 'Vettes. We expected to be slow as this was a brand new car, but you are always disappointed at any gap.

The goal for the race was to finish. This we did, and we ended a successful debut event in a dice with the ACEMCO Saleen that I had driven at Sebring.

Peter started the race and, while we knew we were not going to challenge the 'Vettes or the Saleen for a position, we had a plan to drive safe but as fast as we could. Things were looking good for an easy race as the car was running well - until the Saleen was held in the pits for some problems. Then the pressure was on, because a third place was there for the taking.

Johnny Mowlem, my mate, was behind me when the Saleen rejoined - and he was on a mission. I knew he would catch me, but I was staying in front of him longer than I thought I would. It got to five minutes to go and he was right on my tail. I tried what I could to keep him there, but Johnny just drove past me on the straight and out-braked me at the next corner. We still have steel brakes on the Lambo, while he had carbon brakes, so he had the advantage.

To be honest, I was pretty pissed afterwards, as a podium would have been great for the team. Still, it was a great result with a new car - and the team were amazing. Now, it's on to Lime Rock for the next one.