SEAN Gaffney suffered a dramatic end to the UK Formula Ford season at Silverstone at the weekend after being caught in an accident which eliminated him and several other cars from the final race of the year.

Earlier in the day Gaffney had again shown well in the 28-car field by qualifying in 12th place on the grid and running as high as fifth in the early morning damp conditions, until a 360degree spin dropped him down to 14th. He then lapped consistently faster than many cars ahead and pulled back five places to finish ninth at the chequered flag.

But disaster was to strike the teenager later in the day in the last race in this year's championship.

A lightning start saw Gaffney reach seventh when Polish guest driver Martin Kudzak began a chain of events that would eliminate several cars from the race on the first lap of the 20minute race.

"He started spinning on the entrance to Becketts and collected Jonny Baker who in turn spun into the rear left corner of my car, " said Gaffney. "We had nowhere to go, the pack was very tight and once someone starts spinning it usually ends in carnage.

"It's a disappointing way to end the championship as we had been looking really strong in the last couple of races. "I'm disappointed for the Myerscough Team because they have all worked very hard throughout the year. None of this would have been possible without Fullspec Solutions who have been fantastic."

Gaffney now prepares for the grand finale to the season at the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in two weeks' time, where he will pit his progress against the best young Formula Ford drivers in the world.

Published: 14/10/2005