Mike Bushell cut a frustrated figure after a driveshaft problem forced him to withdraw from the opening British Touring Car Championship race at Donington Park.
The 2014 Clio Cup champion had qualified in 14th prior to the fourth round of the season, but drove his car back into the pits at the end of the formation lap after suffering a driveshaft failure.
Bushell’s AmD Tuning team sent him back out midway through the race, but the 25 year-old then pulled off in the runoff area at the end of the main straight.
And speaking to TouringCars.Net, Bushell was disappointed that his race had been ruined by the smallest of failure on his Ford Focus.
“A £1.24 clip that holds the driveshaft in fell out,” he said. “It almost makes me feel better having qualified 14th because had I been further up I would have been even more gutted.
“The car has been going really well this weekend but it’s just one of those things that happens.”
Bushell nevertheless insisted that the issue would be resolved ahead of race two, where he hoped to be able to progress back through the field.
“The pace is there in the car – we showed that in free practice – but we’ll have to see. I hope so [to salvage something].”
“It will be fine for race two; it’s a two minute job – that’s the most frustrating thing about it.”