THE bad luck that has followed Jenny Tinmouth in recent weeks struck again atthe weekendasshesigned off for the season on a low-key note.

The Whitby rider registered her fourth successive 'DNF' in the British 125GP Champion-ship at a rain-lashed Brands Hatch.

In the 13 races that make up the championship, Jenny managed to finish only five, although some top-15 placings ensured she pocketed 24 points to finish 21st in the male-dominated series.

At Brands Hatch, Jenny was struck by yet another mechanical failure when a new piston ring broke after just one lap.

The 28-year-old said: 'The weather was atrocious, really manky with hail and everything, but it wasn't weather or an error on my part that endedmyrace, oncemoreitwas bad luck.

'It sounds like an excuse but it is true. That piston ring should never have broke, it was brand new.

'I have had two punctures, a few engine seizures, and clutch and piston failures. With a couple that were my fault, it has eaten into my season.

'But I'm still happy with where I am. I have a good position in the standings and when I do finish I am consistently in the top 15 and scoring points.'

Bike mechanic Jenny is now hoping to put her nightmare season behind her and is aiming for a top-three finish in the championship next year.

And she is currently considering two offers for next season which could see her achieve that aim.

After a campaign which started with no sponsors and ended with five, Jenny now has two offers on the table - one to join a current team in the championship and one from an unnamed backer who says he is willing to bankroll Jenny.

'It is a world away from last season where I was scraping around for tyres, fitting makeshift parts and relying on the good will of friends and race colleagues,' she said.

'There is a lot to think about but I need to make a decision soon as the team who made the offer start testing in Spain in November.

'I really believe that whichever offer I take I can finish in the top three. I have achieved top-half results on my five-year-old bike against some brand new machines.

'They had the best kits and components, but I still made an impact.

'I just hope I have used up all my bad luck this year so I can go out there next season and make the most of my races.'