MOTOR SPORT

WALTHAM ABBEY driver Robert Gaffney's run of bad luck continued in the penultimate weekend of the ELF Renault Clio Cup at Silverstone.

Problems with the car during practice and a fuel issue in qualifying saw Gaffney and his Robert Shaw Racing team stuck near the back of the grid on the famous track.

Then, just as the 18-year-old started working his way through the gears, his car was hit from behind and into the barriers on both rounds, ruling him out of the races.

“It wasn't a great weekend for us,” admitted Gaffney. “There were problems with the car in practice which meant we could only complete one lap, and we had a fuel problem in qualifying as well.

“That put us back on the grid but the car was ok for the rounds so I tried to battle through the field. But then I was hit from behind into the barriers.

"It is one of those things you can do nothing about."

The results sees Gaffney drop to tenth in the championship drivers points rankings, scuppering any slim hopes he had of a podium finish.

Next up though, is two rounds at Brands Hatch on September 20 and 21, which will bring the 2008 season to a close.

It is also the highlight of the championship and Gaffney is determined to at least finish the championship on a high note.

“Our championship has been really up and down which has been a bit disappointing - one week we'll be on the podium, then we'll have two bad rounds,” he said.

“Hopefully at Brands Hatch it should be out turn for a good round. The disappointment is we're going to have to work hard to stay in tenth now.”