EVESHAM’S Jones Dorling Racing and rider Ashley Beech suffered a frustrating National Superstock 1000 Championship fourth round at Donington Park.
The support race for the World Superbike Series’ British round gave the team a chance to perform in front of more than 30,000 spectators and the television cameras.
Beech, 26, had finished fifth in round one but then suffered a heavy crash at Brands Hatch. He had broken bones in his foot and hand but passed a fitness test to compete in Leicestershire.
However, his Kawasaki ZX-10R race bike was experiencing problems and required a rebuild for qualifying.
But Beech could only complete two laps of qualifying and finished 27th quickest.
He moved up four places in the race only for his bike to suffer intermittent power loss and a slipping clutch, resulting in a retirement on lap five.
The team head to Snetterton for a two-day test where they will consult with engine performance specialists.
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