Mike Bushell expressed frustration and confusion after seeing a seemingly nailed-on Renault UK Clio Cup victory at Thruxton taken away with a five second penalty for exceeding track limits.
From pole position in the second race of the weekend, Bushell had crucially broken the tow to the pack behind and built a four second lead out front in the Hampshire sunshine.
The Team Pyro ace was handed his penalty in the closing laps however, gifting a second win of the meeting to Ant Whorton-Eales, with Bushell demoted to second.
“It is a feeling of immense frustration. I feel like I’ve been robbed of this victory,” said Bushell.
“At every other circuit there’s been warnings on track limits but I didn’t get any here, and I haven’t been driving any differently in that race to how I have all weekend.
“I’m so frustrated. I know in my own mind that I’ve won on the road, so if nothing comes of it, then I’m just going to have to live with that.”
Despite losing the win, Bushell’s podium double for the weekend has moved him to within six points of the championship lead – but he still heads into the next meeting fired up to make up the lost ground.
Bushell added: “It’s great that I’ve made some inroads on Paul Rivett and moved up to second in the championship, but there’s certainly fire in me now heading to Oulton Park. I’m not going to stand for that.”