Nelson champion Jonny Lang was left frustrated in the opening rounds of this year's FIA GT3 European Championships.

The 26-year-old is driving for the Liverpool-based Tech 9 team that saw him team up one of last year's main rivals, Phil Keen, racing in their Porsche GT3 997.

Lang, who won the 2007 British GT Championship, was hoping for great things after moving into European series, but after struggling with the set up of the Porsche during practice, he eventually qualified in 17th place out of a field of 40 cars, which included Ford GTs, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Ferraris.

Competition came from the likes of Roman Bera, Erik Janis, Richard Williams and James Ruffier, all seasoned campaigners in the European Championship.

In the first of the weekend's two races, the cars got away after the rolling start and Lang was up to 14th by the end of the first lap.

At the end of lap four, he had made up another three places to 11th, but a spinning Ascari meant he had to take avoiding action and the following Lamborghini hit him on the front wheel, damaging the steering rack.

He managed to limp back to the pits but his race was over.

"It was hugely disappointing to be out so early on," said Lang.

The mechanics worked till 2am to repair the car for the second race on the next day.

Again, he started 17th on the grid. Another good start saw him make up some places, but as he entered the pit straight to start the second lap, the engine cut out completely.

He coasted down the pit straight desperately trying to restart the engine and, just as the marshals were pushing him off the track, it started and he rejoined the race almost a lap down.

By pushing hard, Lang and his team-mate were able to pull back the lap and eventually finish 19th.

"It was a frustrating weekend but that's motor racing," said Lang. "It's reassuring to know that, despite having problems with set up, we were on the pace."