Radical team forced out of debut.

Drivetrain issues force LMP1 Radical out of ALMS debut.

Eco Racing made its long-awaited debut in the American Le Mans Series on the final weekend of racing at Laguna Seca, although the team saw its first race in the series brought to a premature end by mechanical problems.

Hideki Noda and Andrew Prendeville had been forced to start from the back of the 34-car grid, but Noda made solid progress through into 24th before being forced to pit with a driveshaft failure caused by contact on the left rear of the SR10.

Prendeville eventually returned to the track for a trouble-free stint before Noda got back in the car, but he returned to the pits after noticing a noise at the rear of the car.

With investigation revealing another driveshaft issue, the team took the decision to retire from the race with the damage having been worse than initially feared.

"To see the car finish P15 in the warm-up was a real boost to the team and a good feeling after the hard work and commitment we have put in," team manager Ian Dawson said. "Both Hideki and Andrew were stars, professional and fast. We are trying to do something different and I think a little special as we really look to embrace the Green Initiative, perhaps in more ways than many others.

"It was disappointing not to be able to record the first finish of a production-engined diesel car on its race debut; but we hope to be back stronger next year."

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