"I'm learning" - Says Shanno! His words on the weekend at Mallory.

The problem with the UK media is illustrated by Shane's most recent racing experiences. When he crashed the car - all the tabloids printed "near death" crash stories - fantastic journalistic licence. When he has the best race of his career to date - only you - the loyal BZ fans will get to know. Here's his story.

"I've driven more times at Mallory than anywhere else - I did Legends here, and I've done Ginetta here before - so I know this circuit better than any. That's an important part of being a racing driver is learning the circuits - where to brake, where to turn in, the best places to overtake, and stuff like that.

It's always an early start for racing - but that's the same with Boyzone. I don't have breakfast most days but never when I'm racing, so we went straight to the circuit. With me were Peter (my manager), and my mate Chris and his wife and their little baby - he's only 7months old but he's great fun. A pukka racing team looks after the Ginetta, "John Griffiths Motorsport" - and their great lads, always up for the craic, it's a real cool atmosphere, you know what I mean?

I was surprised by how many of you fans were about - jeez you must have been up early yourselves. We qualified in the morning. At Mallory it's really important to be near the front of the grid 'cos it's not easy to pass people there. So we put nearly bald tyres - they give more grip in the dry and you can corner faster and get a really good time. The problem is that they can get too hot and not work so well so they ain't no good for the race.

Anyway, the qualifying was great, everyone was pleased that I got 5th fastest - I was pretty chuffed meself, know what I'm sayin? Anyhow, there was time to relax until the race. It's great to be talking to the other drivers - they've been doing this for much longer than me and they give me lots of ideas on how to get the best lines through the corners and stuff.

There was stacks of autograph signing to do, the other drivers reckon my hand will fall off one day. They're always asking how I manage to do so many - I tell them it's the fans who have allowed me to be here in the first place. I had some presents too which I shared with the team - but time soon came round to the race. There's nothing I can say really - it was just great, I couldn't have gone any faster - it was great to stick with those first four - but I was really tired at the end - the concentration is really hard.

The way the team was smiling and shaking my hand you'd think I'd just won the race not come fifth - but it was a good feeling. I won another cup - Peter reckons I ought to get a cabinet to keep them all in, but that might be pushing bad vibes so I'll wait awhile. I texted Easther and me Da with the news whilst waiting to leave the circuit and headed for home. I enjoyed it. I'll let Peter tell you what the team thought. See Ya!"

That was Shane's summary of the day. This is mine. The first four cars were driven by the most experienced guys in this series, and Shane kept with them all the way through - the rest of the cars were just not on the pace. His fastest lap was within 0.3 of a second of the winner!!! If anyone ever doubted his ability - they'd better think again. He will be in the top three before the year is out. The boys a star - but I guess you all know that anyway! Cheers!