MOTORSPORT: Powell left to rue misfortune (From Oxford Mail)

MOTORSPORT: Powell left to rue misfortune

10:20am Saturday 16th February 2013 in Sport

CHIPPING Norton’s Alice Powell could not hide her disappointment after finishing fifth in the MRF Championship at the Madras Circuit in Chennai, India.

Powell started the weekend third in the championship, but clutch problems and a spin meant she dropped two places in the final standings.

After qualifying fifth in the first race, she experienced problems when her clutch started to slip on the start of the warm-up lap.

The stewards ruled that a jump start, meaning Powell had to take a drive-through penalty before working her way up from last place to finish 12th.

Powell then came sixth in the next race to ensure she started in pole in the final round, where the grid was reversed.

After getting off to a good start, she span at the fourth turn after her rear tyres locked.

Powell recovered to finish tenth, but dropped to fifth in the final standings.

“I am so disappointed,” said Powell.

“My start was excellent, but Sam (Dejonghe) got in my tow down the straight to turn four.

“I pulled to the left to defend, but the track is very dusty. The down change snatched the rear, but because I was on the dust I could not catch it.

“We had such great pace, and I know it would have been a win and that would have meant third in the championship.

“It is painful knowing that victory was there.

“But I have to move on now, learn and focus on raising sponsorship for the coming season.”

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