It was the former Cranswick man’s first series non-finish since October 2006.

Smith received cuts and bruises in the heavy impact which totally destroyed the Porsche.

Smith’s American co-driver Chris Dyson started the 165-minute race from seventh place on the LM P2 class grid at the 1.53-mile, eight-corner circuit in Connecticut.

Guy took over the wheel of the Thetford/Norcold Dyson Racing Porsche Spyder after 65 minutes and was up to fourth place overall, fourth in class within minutes of rejoining the race and still on the lead lap.

But with 1hr 34mins on the clock and with Smith now third and looking good for a top result, Guy contacted a slower car in an overtaking manoeuvre. The impact sent Smith spinning into the crash barriers, his Porsche too badly damaged to continue.

Thankfully Smith walked away from the huge accident.

“I just caught the front of a slower Porsche I was overtaking as I came back across the track but the slightest of touches sent me careering off into the barrier, flat in fifth gear, at over 150mph,” recounted the Yorkshireman, now living at Bracken, Beverley.

“It was my fault, my mistake and just one of those things.”

Smith now focuses on the sixth round of the 11-race ALMS championship staged at Mid-Ohio tomorrow (July 19). A new car will have to be prepared for the race.