Food poisoning conspired against New Zealander Wade Cunningham for his return to the Indy Lights motor racing series in Florida over the weekend.
Former champion Cunningham became ill on Friday morning and struggled to keep anything down - including fluids - during qualifying and the two races.
He managed to place 16th in the first race and 11th in the second.
His progress in the first race wasn't helped when the dashboard on his car failed early and he was forced to drive the rest of the race without data and gearshift lights.
Former world karting champion Cunningham has few good memories of the St Petersburg circuit.
Three years ago he missed both races after undergoing an emergency appendectomy on the eve of the event.
After only competing in selected races last season, the 2003 Indy Lights series champion has returned for a full season this year with the Sam Schmidt Motorsports team.
The second round is on the streets of Long Beach, California on April 19.
- NZPA
Motorsport: Cunningham hit by food poisoning
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