SWINDON-based Synchro Motorsport endured a disappointing weekend in the sixth round of the Dunlop Production GTN Championship at Castle Combe after both their competing cars failed to finish the race.

The Honda factory team had gone into the weekend full of confidence of securing podium finishes after their two cars – the Civic and the Jazz- had undergone some important modifications since the previous race at Thruxton.

It was looking like things would pan out as planned as practice and qualifying both went well and the Civic and Jazz started Sunday's race fourth and sixth in class respectively.

However, a heavy crash involving Alyn James in the Civic and a competitor's Civic resulted in the former barrel rolling off the track and out of the race.

Dave Allen – who had gone into the race seventh in the standings - kept going in the Jazz but an earlier impact with the competitor's Civic took it's toll as his car developed an electrical problem which also ended his race.

“We did not expect that result at all,” said team manager James.

“It was disappointing for me to crash and the Jazz managed another couple of laps before it could not continue.

“The Civic is heavily damaged and I can't see it coming out for the next race.”

James, meanwhile, is unsure whether he will opt to compete in the next race after being involved in a crash for the second successive race.

“That was the second accident in as many races I have been involved in and it knocks the confidence,” he continued.

“We are going to have a think whether I'll race in the next race. Dave (Allen) has given me great support, he has been there before.

“Dave will run the Jazz so maybe it will be a case of me supporting him in testing and then competing in a number of local races to rebuild my confidence.”

  • IT HAS been a long wait but Swindon’s Jack Groves returned to racing for the first time in almost two years earlier this month, contesting in the British Superstock 600 at Oulton.

The 21-year-old last raced for Team Haribo Starmix back in late 2009 and, after a lengthy absence, returned to action in Cheshire on the weekend of July 16-17 with Aye Gee Suzuki Racing.

Though Groves was denied the chance to take part in the race on the Sunday due to bad weather conditions, he produced a promising performance in qualifying as he finished a respectable three seconds off pole.

The race will be re-ran in September at Donington Park and Groves is seeking a small sponsor on the side of his helmet, so that he can take part in a few more races this year with Aye Gee Suzuki.

“I had great fun racing for Aye Gee Suzuki, the bike handled really good and I got on well with the team,” he said. “For a bike that hasn't had much development in the Superstock championship before it is very good. Now I am hoping to get a few more races on the Suzuki this year and push to get into the points.

“It has been a long time since I've been on a bike and I have never rode a Suzuki, but I am confident that I can go a lot faster in a few races time and get running at the front again after a few test days.”

To contact Groves about sponsorship, email jackgrovesracing@googlemail.com.