Welch Motorsport’s Dan Welch will not take part in qualifying at Thruxton, having sustained significant front end damage after a crash during the second British Touring Car Championship practice session.
The 32 year-old had been performing well in the early stages of the session, but broke his car’s front-left suspension as he clobbered the kerb at the final chicane before heading into the barrier.
In a short statement on the team’s Facebook page, Team Principal John Welch confirmed that the car would not be fixed in time for the afternoon’s qualifying session.
“Dan had a puncture in the chichane after building speed slowly,” he said. “Optimus [Welch’s car] would not turn right which resulted in him hitting the barrier very hard.
“[There is] Severe damage but we aim to get going for Sunday.”
The team had earlier confirmed that both cars were running with new engines, with Welch finishing the second session in 24th, less than three seconds off the pace of Aron Smith.