RISING race ace Bradley Hobday has clinched a top title in only his second year of contesting a major motor sprint regional championship.

The 24-year-old, from Yarnbrook, took his Prospect Autospares Renault Clio two-litre car to win the Association of South West Motor Clubs sprint contest outright after being awarded maximum points from a series of class wins in South West events during the year.

He entered the championship two years ago, finishing fourth and spent last year developing the car to make a bid for the overall title this year.

Hobday paid tribute to engineer Brian Berrett, whose development knowledge and skills enabled him to gain maximum power from his standard engine giving him the edge over his competitors.

The panel beater from Heritage of Westbury said: “Brian has helped me tremendously by developing the fuel system on the car to give me around 35 more brake horse power.

“Other local business have helped me, with BR Metals producing a lightweight fuel tank and Hiscock Engineering helping with their specialised fabrication skills”.

Hobday won the title by a point from rival John Burton in a 300bhp single seater with more than 100 entrants in the championship and 16 classes.

He added: “My father Brian won an autocross championship at the same age so I have followed in his tyre tracks, as it were.

“I am proud to have won at the same age as he did. I also have the car wearing the race numbers 146 as a tribute to a friend, Malcolm Sims, who died in a motorcross incident.”

Sprint events are held on tarmac, from operational airfields to private estates, using a standing start and a flying finish against the clock.