THE chequered flag has been waved on a racer’s attempts to make the grid at Silverstone this weekend.

Hannah Chapman has been left watching the action from the sidelines in the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE after a heavy-impact crash at Knockhill in July.

The Hybrid Tune racer was unable to race at the Fife circuit and sat out the three races at Snetterton last month with a view to taking to the track at Silverstone.

But on Tuesday morning, she broke the bad news to Courier Sport that she would once again be confined to the pit lane.

She said: “Silverstone is not happening, I’m afraid.

“I have tried everything I could and called the team yesterday but unfortunately at this time of year it is very difficult.

“Budgets are fully allocated.

“I tried the best I could.”

READ MORE: Hannah Chapman facing race against time to reach starting grid

Chapman, who lives in Dunbar, had emerged unscathed from the crash during a practice session at Knockhill.

However, the damage to the car and the need to find sponsorship had left her with a race against time to ensure her season was not over.

The 29-year-old had launched an appeal on social media to try to find the necessary funds ahead of rounds 15, 16 and 17 this weekend.

Unfortunately, time was against the former Dunbar Grammar School pupil, who will be at the Northamptonshire circuit to cheer on her team-mates.

She said: “I will be at Silverstone and Brands Hatch for the final rounds.

“I love being there supporting my team-mates and my boss Joe [Tanner] is my team-mate and best friend. I will go and support him and the team.

“It would be way worse if I was sitting at home.

“It is a huge part of my life and I will definitely be going – as hard as it is to watch from the sidelines.”

READ MORE: Mini racer Hannah Chapman ready for the green light

Chapman, who works at Rennat Design at Knockhill, confirmed that she hoped to be back racing next season.

However, she spoke of the toll the last couple of months had taken on her.

She said: “At the moment, I’m still trying to find a level of acceptance.

“I am still trying to recover from everything that has happened.

“I’m starting to think about next year but need a little bit of time to process.

“Then it will be full steam ahead to get everything together and manage a full season next year.

“This has been really horrible the way it has ended and I do not want that to happen again next year.”