Unfortunately for Michael Crees his recent run of bad luck continued in the latest round of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Croft in North Yorkshire.

It looked on Saturday like his luck had changed as he hit the ground running, whilst he lost early lap times for exceeding track limits, along with half the BTCC grid. He did put in a flying lap that was good enough to earn him P9 on the grid and an excellent spot to charge forward in race one on Sunday morning.

Fast forward to Sunday morning and a water leak for the #777 Civic prevented Crees from making the grid. As the team frantically completed a last-dash repair, the Clever Baggers-backed driver was forced to start from the pits a lap down. Completing the 15 lap race, he crossed the line in P22.

Making up for lost opportunities an outstanding opening lap by Crees saw the #777 Type R make up an incredible eight places on the first tour of the circuit.

Pushing forward to hit his P12 target for the reverse grid draw by lap eight, disaster struck once more for the Jack Sears Trophy contender with a misfire causing him to drop down the order and back into the pits having completed just 12 laps.

Regrettably, Crees’ run of incidents continued into the last race, with a recurring fault on the #777 forcing him into early retirement after only completing a single lap on the Yorkshire circuit.

Speaking after a disastrous weekend, Crees said: “Sadly the car let me down all weekend and has ruined my Jack Sears Trophy hopes. I just hope that Bobby Thompson is ok.

“It helps to put it into perspective when you see big accidents like that. I’ve had a frustrating weekend, especially after Silverstone. But, you need to keep what’s important in mind.”

Image courtesy of Phil Laughton