Alice Powell suffers disappointment at Madras Circuit in India

Cotswold racer Alice Powell suffered huge disappointment at the Madras Circuit in Chennai, India, at the weekend.

The former Cotswold School student entered the weekend third in the MRF Series championships, but clutch problems and a spin lead to her finishing fifth in the final MRF Championship standings. 

Powel, 20, qualified in fifth position for the first race of the weekend, but on the start of the warm up lap, the clutch started to slip.

"I could feel it slip when I pulled away on the green flag lap.

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"When I pulled up to my grid box for the start of the race, the clutch was not engaging properly," said Powell.

"When the lights came on, I went full revs and the car edged forward. I did manage to stop before the lights went out, but it was too late, I had already moved," she said.

A drive-through penalty was awarded against Powell who ended the race in 12th position out of 15.

In Sunday's first race Powell started in sixth and maintained her position to start in pole for the next race, as the top six standings reversed.

However, on the run down to turn four, Powell was forced to defend onto the dusty side of the track but the rear tyres locked aggressively, sending Powell into a spin, unfortunately for the Gloucestershire racer.

She then had to wait until all the cars had passed, before getting back onto the track.

"I am so disappointed. 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 was very dusty," said Powell.

"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 victory was there, but I have to move on, learn and focus on raising sponsorship for this coming season," she said.