Mike Bushell sidelined with leg injuries after Thruxton BTCC crash

The AmD rookie was exiting the pitlane in the early stages of Saturday's session when he collided with Belcher's Handy Motorsport Toyota Avensis, which was exiting Allard on a flying lap.

Both cars sustained significant damage after a heavy hit into the tyre-protected Armco barrier.

Belcher was unhurt but Bushell was taken to hospital in Southampton with what was initially suspected to be a broken femur.

Further examination revealed that he had avoided broken bones but sustained severe ligament damage.

Speedworks Motorsport boss Christian Dick, whose team helps run Belcher's Handy car, said the Avensis suffered "a lot of damage" and it would take a "monumental" effort to get it repaired for Sunday's races.

WELCH OUT AFTER PRACTICE CRASH

With Alex Martin absent, Bushell sidelined and Belcher a doubt, the grid could be whittled down to 25 cars on Sunday, with Dan Welch also confirming that he will not race.

Proton driver Welch crashed his Gen-2 in second practice after what he said was suspension failure as he negotiated the chicane.

The damage to the sub-frame put him out of qualifying as his Welch Motorsport team focused on the engine problems afflicting Andy Wilmot's car, and it is too severe to be fixed in time for the three races.

Engine issues have plagued the Welch team since the start of last year, when it opted to build its own power units.

The team has been hit with a 10-point penalty as the two drivers have, between them, made five engine changes already this season, leaving it on -10 points.