Fifth for Powell at India test (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Fifth for Powell at India test

3:30pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in Tewkesbury

CHIPPING Norton racer Alice Powell suffered huge disappointment at Chennai’s Madras Circuit in India.

The 20-year-old was third in the MRF Championship but clutch problems and a spin led to her finishing fifth in the final standings.

She qualified fifth for the first race but the clutch started to slip on the warmup lap.

The stewards ruled a jump start, meaning a drivethrough penalty and last on the grid, but Powell moved up to 12th.

On the next day, she secured pole position after finishing sixth for the reverse grid but, after an excellent start, span on the dusty side of the track.

Powell recovered to 10th while setting the third fastest lap of the race.

She said: “It is painful knowing victory was there but I have to move on now, learn and focus on raising sponsorship for this season.”