SWINDON’S Lucas Romanek emerged victorious in the second National Formula Ford 1600 and Scottish Ford race at Knockhill earlier this month.

Having battled through race one and finished third without incident, the 18-year-old was involved in a far more dramatic second race in which he came out on top.

Colin Queen started on pole as a result of winning race one, and resumed his rivalry with Jordan Dempsey from that race.

Dempsey went for the lead at Taylor’s hairpin on lap four, taking the inside as Queen left the door fully open.

They were side-by-side on the exit of the corner, and then made contact and veered off track.

Dempsey rode over Queen’s cockpit, and thankfully Queen not only emerged uninjured but like Dempsey also was able to keep going and return to the asphalt in eighth and ninth.

Jamie Sharp inherited the lead ahead of Romanek and Morgan Quinn, with Andre Lafond trying to make it a four-car lead battle.

With the extra knowledge from the first outing, Romanek was aware of when and where to pressure rival Sharp, and it kept the top four tightly bunched throughout.

Romanek waited for the perfect opportunity before attempting to take the lead at Taylor’s.

The teenager went all the way around the outside of Sharp, but as their rear wheels rubbed at the exit Sharp went spinning onto the grass.

Romanek now led Quinn, Lafond and a chasing Ben Cochran, while Queen had progressed up to fifth at the same as Dempsey had plummeted to 14th.

In the second half of the race there wasn’t much Quinn could do about Romanek, who eased away to claim a maiden victory by four-and-a-half seconds.

With a podium finish at Silverstone in March, Lucas now lies third in the overall championship standings.

Romanek, racing with Oldfield Motorsport, will race again at Silverstone on Sunday, April 24 in the United Formula Ford Series and in the next national Formula Ford meeting at Croft, Darlington on May 14.