Crossword Genius

It gets a racing driver nowhere (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lap

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'it gets a racing driver nowhere' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'it gets a' is the wordplay.
'it' becomes 'lp' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'gets' indicates putting letters inside (gets can mean captures or absorbs).
'lp' enclosing 'a' is 'LAP'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lap that I've seen before include "Thighs, when seated" , "Drink (like dog), circuit" , "Circuit of racetrack" , "Single circuit of track" , "Knees" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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