Maidstone's Scott Smart was in no mood for talking after his Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship campaign hit the buffers at Oulton Park.

The 34-year-old, pictured, was forced to retire early on in his third outing of the season after an electrical problem left his Ducati crippled.

Smart grabbed an impressive fifth at Thruxton two weeks ago, but lasted just seven laps this time and dropped down to 11th in the standings as a result.

“We think it is an electrical problem with it which meant the bike wouldn’t rev out in third gear,” said Moto Rapido team owner Wilf Moore.

“It is obviously frustrating for Scott, he has put a lot of hard work in and the Superstock classes are so competitive this year. But Scott is very professional and it’s not the first time a bike has let him down in a race."

Championship leader Steve Plater finished second to extend his advantage at the top to 70 points, but Moore insists Smart cannot be ruled out of the title running just yet.

“The Superstock is so competitive this year that Scott was running at the sort of pace of last year’s lap record so he deserved a little bit better,” he added.

“But we are confident we have the machinery and the rider to get right up there.”

The next round of the championship is at Cadwell Park on May 23.

British Eurosport 2 will be broadcasting every round of the 2010 MCE British Superbike Championship. The channel is available on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525.