Liddell is fifth in the overall unofficial GT standings

Newbury's Robin Liddell had his third Grand-Am GT Championship win snatched away from him in the closing laps at Birmingham, Alabama.

Liddell lead the 250-mile race in his Stevenson Motorsport Pontiac for 55 laps after going in front on the hour.

But he was passed with 11 minutes remaining after a re-start and fell to fourth spot after a final caution.

"I went from first to fourth - hugely disappointing - but it's a case now of focussing on the next race," he said.

"I'd got a good lead after some great race strategy and pit work by the Stevenson Motorsports team.

"But a late full course caution eroded my advantage.

The rules are so upside down right now that we can only drive around and hope other teams make mistakes John Stevenson

"Unfortunately, the front tyres on the Pontiac had lost their grip in the brutally hot conditions causing the handling to deteriorate and I was a sitting duck.

An unhappy team owner John Stevenson remarked: "It's a shame when the entire team performs perfectly and we still have no chance of winning.

"Our strategy, pit stops, and drivers were perfect which gave us a huge lead, but the late yellows brought the Mazdas and Porsches right up to our bumpers, and no driver can block against a 7mph disadvantage.

"The rules are so upside down right now that we can only drive around and hope other teams make mistakes which have worked since Watkins Glen.

"Hopefully Grand-Am will finally realize the Pontiac is at such a disadvantage and let us go racing the last three races."

Liddell and his team next race at a 200-mile race on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on 1 August.