Vila Real WTCR: Loeb team-mates Huff and Bennani ruled out by crash

Rob Huff and Sebastien Loeb Racing team-mate Mehdi Bennani will not contest Sunday's Vila Real World Touring Car Cup races due to damage sustained in their huge race one accident.

The pair, who started on the front row, touched as they jostled for the lead through the fast Turn 3 right-hander at the start of Saturday's opening race.

That contact sent both off into the outside barrier and triggered a multi-car accident that resulted in the race being suspended for more than two hours.

Both were taken to hospital for precautionary checks and were later discharged.

An update on Huff's social media on Saturday evening announced his Volkswagen Golf GTi would not be repaired in time for Sunday's races, and SLR was also given permission to leave the circuit early.

James Thompson's Honda Civic will also miss Sunday's pair of races, although his Munnich Motorsport squad worked through the night to prepare title hopeful Yann Ehrlacher's car in time for Sunday qualifying.

Yvan Muller Racing has repaired Thed Bjork's Hyundai i30 N - which briefly caught fire after the crash - and Norbert Michelisz will race his similar BRC Racing Hyundai despite a heavy impact.

Michelisz, who was not allowed to participate in Saturday's restarted race because the rollcage in his i30 N had been damaged, said on Saturday his hand "just got twisted" after being swiped by Huff but insisted he would be OK to drive.