NEIL Simpson has lost his appeal against exclusion from the Scottish International Rally.

A brake pad three millimetres too large cost the Colne driver his first-ever win in the Mobil 1 British Championship.

In a decision described as 'harsh' by Simpson, the rally organisers disqualified his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo6 on the grounds of its front brake pads 'failing to conform with homologated requirements.'

"To say I am disappointed would be an understatement," said Simpson.

"To have your first international rally win taken from you because of something over which you have no control is desperately frustrating," he said.

"It appears the pads were 3mm larger than the rules allowed. These were supplied by a well-known manufacturer on the understanding they were the correct equipment for a Lancer Evo6, and they were fitted in good faith by the team. "We appealed against the exclusion but it was rejected. This is one of those bizarre situations which, it seems, can only crop up in motorsport.

"The chairman of the stewards told me that he was quite satisfied that we could not have gained any performance advantage from fitting these brake pads, so our exclusion seems very harsh indeed."

And Simpson was anxious to exonerate his team, Belfast-based David Greer Motorsport, from any blame.

"I want to make it clear that in no way do I hold DGM responsible for what has happened," he added.

"The ridiculous thing is that, had we wanted, we could have run the car quite legally with very much larger brake calipers and brake pads. It's just that the pads we used weren't the correct ones for the smaller calipers."

And Simpson found sympathy from an unexpected quarter today.

Reigning British champion and Volkswagen Motorsport driver Tapio Laukkanen was gifted the win following the stewards meeting.

But team manager Steve Bagnall said: "What has happened to Neil is regrettable, and we take no pleasure from it."

Simpson and his team now have to put their disappointment behind them for the next round of the championship, the SEAT Jim Clark Rally on June 30.