A LOOSE battery wire connection robbed title contender Ross Worswick of a definite top three finish in the BARC Formula Renault Championship at Oulton Park.

After taking a victory at the previous Croft event in May, the 18-year-old Blackburn front runner was lying second in the championship before the race and was hoping to maintain his challenge for the title.

But first, he revealed, he had school matters to take care of.

He said: "I had an A' Level exam on Friday and missed half of the day's practice so we were a little behind in set up but as it turned out qualifying was a bit of a lottery."

With the damp track drying out in the final stages, Worswick was holding onto second place, but was edged down into fifth in the dying minute of the session.

And although the youngster was still confident of a good finish, fate, and a dodgy battery ultimately conspired against him.

He said: "I made a great start in the race, but was squeezed out at the first corner and slotted into fourth.

"At the hairpin first time around second and third place made contact and spun gifting me second, but towards the end of the lap I could smell burning and there was some wisps of smoke around my legs.

"The battery, which is located under my legs, had a loose connection and was shorting out.

"I didn't really want to stop but thought it best just in case it took hold and damaged the car badly.

"I was extremely disappointed, second place would have kept me right in the hunt for the title. But looking to the bright side, I have my two favourite circuits to come, Silverstone and Snetterton.

"Hopefully I can peg back some points from those and keep my championship challenge on track."

Also competing on the same race programme was the ACE Vehicle Sports Saloon Car Championship - a mixed grid of various machinery, which included TVRs, Porches and even an ex-touring car, as well as Simonstone's Richard Casey competing in Class D with his Mini Cooper 1600 'S and the Caterham Seven of Ramsbottom's Kevin Cryer in Class B.