Cumbrian racing driver Frank Bird had to battle for 15th place after a disappointing final two rounds in the Asian Le Mans Series.

The Penrith driver, after two solid outings in Dubai last time out, was next in action at the YAS Marina circuit in Abi Dhabi.

Driving for the German-based Haupt Racing Team, Bird and his team-mates, in the Mercedes-AMG GT3, crossed the line in 13th in the first race after they damaged a wheel bearing after swapping drivers, at a time they were targeting a podium finish.

That cost them six laps in the pits, while a technical failure after 79 laps of the second four-hour race meant they had to retire.

Despite the disappointment, Bird finished the four-round series in a battling 15th place overall in the GT Drivers’ class.

Bird said: “Seeing the car retire was an unfortunate way to end the 2023 Asian Le Mans Series with a DNF.

"I had great fun at the start of the final race, going from 20th in the GT class up to second and finally showing what we could do.

"When swapping over to my team-mate during the race, we encountered a technical problem which forced us to retire.

"It’s not how we had it planned out but nevertheless I loved my time out in the UAE so thanks to the team for a mega job over the two weeks and to my teammates and of course to our sponsors and my dad."

Bird is back in action this weekend in the Paul Bird Motorsport team’s Silkolene, Hager and Mac Tools-backed Ford Fiesta Rally 2 as he contests the Reed Group East Riding Stages Rally which comprises the opening round of the Protyre BTRDA Asphalt Rally Championship in association with Motorsport News.