After a testing weekend at Spa Francorchamps Beechdean Aston Martin Racing (AMR) have been forced to withdraw form the next round of the British GT.

The teams GT3 car will not compete after damage sustained in a first lap collision in Spa caused significant damage.

The news came as a disappointment to Wycombe Wanderers chairman and Beechdean AMR driver Andrew Howard.

“I am hugely disappointed that the car will be unable to take part in the upcoming race at Snetterton,” he said.

“We always knew that this was going to be a development year for us, and sometimes you have to take the rough with the smooth.

“British GT is an important series to us and we will continue to take part in the championship, despite this set back.”

Ross Gunn has made the step up from GT4 to GT3 as part of this development process and he was equally frustrated by the team’s absence at Snetterton.

Gunn said: “It is a devastating blow for the team and I am disappointed that we will have to sit out Snetterton.

“It is all part of the risk when racing, crashes happen. The team have always done a great job and focussed on the most important programs.”

Beechdean have been involved in the British GT for a number of years and Snetterton will be the first race they have missed in five years.

They hope to have the car ready for the final race of the season at Donnington and Snetterton will still see two Beechdean cars on the track.

Jamie Chadwick and Paul Hollywood will be competing in their second race of the season, in what will be the penultimate race of the British GT championship.