HOOK’S British Touring Car driver Rob Collard was forced to withdraw from the final meeting British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.

Collard was involved in a high-speed accident at the previous round at Silverstone.

He passed a concussion test on his arrival to the Kent circuit so was passed fit to take his place in first practice last Saturday Following second practice on Saturday, the Hook driver was forced to withdraw from the remainder of the event on medical advice.

Collard said: “I was fine out for the car, but felt dizzy when I was driving. This was due to being thrown around by the G forces.

"So I went to medical centre again on Saturday and this time I failed the concussion test so I could not race."

The Hook racer added: “It was a disappointing way to end the season as I did not compete in the last five races.

"I still came fifth in the championship, so I really think I realistically could have finished third.”

The drivers’ championship was decided in the final race and in the end was won by Ash Sutton on 372 points, with Collard’s team mate Colin Turkington in second on 351.

Tom Ingram completed the top three on 311, with Collard coming fifth with a points haul of 256.

There was a silver lining for Hook driver as he was part of a winning double for his West Surrey Racing team.

Team BMW won the teams’ championship by 50 points from Halfords Yuasa Racing.

BMW were also manufacturers’ championships ahead of Subaru.

In the Ginatta Junior Championships, one of the support races to BTCC, Rob Collard’s son Jordan finished his campaign in eighth position in drivers’ championship.

His weekend started well enough with an eighth place finish in race one, but a puncture forced him out for race two.

This meant he started at the back (18th) for the final race and fought his way up to ninth.

He is now too old to race in this class next season, so will look to compete in another championship.