Photo: PSP Images

Rob Smith withdrawn from Oulton Park finale

Rob Smith will sit out the final BTCC race of the weekend at Oulton Park as a result of the damage sustained in his heavy accident on the final lap of race two.

The Excelr8 driver was dicing with the Volkswagen of Michael Crees when the two made contact exiting Lodge, with Smith’s MG going off heavily into the barriers at Deer Leap.

The car briefly got airborne after hitting the tyres before coming to rest in the middle of the circuit, with Smith able to climb from the damaged car unaided before returning to the paddock.

With the MG sustaining extensive damage, Smith will sit out the final race with Excelr8 working to try and repair the damaged car of team-mate Sam Osborne; the former Clio racer having earlier gone off heavily himself at Old Hall.

“The car was dropping off towards the end and I was starting to struggle with the tyres and the brakes,” he said. “Going into the hairpin, Crees had a big lunge at me and was almost on the grass to get ahead. I tried to fight back and when we got to the final corner, he went to defend the place and there was a small touch between us.

“I was up the inside and left him room but he seemed to turn right into me and that spun me off. Obviously I’ve not seen his onboard, but that’s how it felt from me in the car. It’s frustrating because I wasn’t squeezing him wide and there was no need for the contact.

“The car took a big hit and it looked – and felt – dramatic but I feel fine. The car did its job and stood up well. It’s just a shame that that is the end of our weekend.”