MIPS: Mansell proves to have speed, if not luck.

Scott Mansell put in stunning qualifying effort at Watkins Glen in only his second outing in the Menards Infiniti Pro Series, but was denied the chance to start after a freak problem at the end of his flying lap.

The Briton's time put him in third spot on the grid, just behind polesitter - and 2003 world kart champion - Wade Cunningham, and championship regular and 2003 runner-up Jeff Simmons. Marco Andretti, the winner of each of the road or street course events this season, was down in fifth. However, Mansell had been struggling with a brake problem throughout practice, and the gremlin returned during his in-lap, putting him into the wall and, with substantial damage to the left rear corner of the car, out of the Corning 100.

"I was really looking forward to the race, and I am gutted that the weekend has ended this way," said former EuroBOSS champion Mansell, "I got on the brakes and they just weren't there. We were looking in good shape for the race."

Having gained a taste of the series, Mansell now returns to Britain to try and put together a financial package that will allow him to return in 2006.

"I think I have shown I have the speed to be competitive," he said, "Now I am looking forward to doing some winter testing in preparation for a full campaign next year."