A startrescue.co.uk story...

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Some of Rowan Atkinson's most famous comic roles came to mind on Saturday as the actor collided with another vehicle in the Shelby Cup – a Goodwood Revival event that celebrates the small-block V8.

Atkinson was behind the wheel of a duck-egg blue Ford Falcon Sprint when another driver, two cars in front, spun off the track after losing control.

The car in between swerved to avoid the stricken racer, but the Blackadder and Mr Bean actor did not have enough time to do the same.

His Falcon hit the car head-on, causing enough damage to take Atkinson out of the race.

Thankfully the actor was not harmed in the collision, although according to the Telegraph he did look rather despondent at having to exit the race.

But the actor is no stranger to the odd driving incident and no doubt has a premium-level of car breakdown cover to rely on.

In August 2011 he lost control of his £3m McLaren F1 near Peterborough, colliding with a tree. The actor, who broke his shoulder in the accident, successfully claimed £910,000 from his insurer, although the Daily Mail reported that his premium was increased to £60,000 as a result of the prang.

The F1 reportedly took a year to repair. The little Ford Falcon Atkinson crashed in the Shelby Cup should take considerably less time to get back on the road, although Atkinson’s ego may take a little longer to heal.