Announcements

ST HELENS driver Chris Middlehurst was crowned 2013 Protyre Formula Renault Champion at Rockingham on Sunday after securing his 13th podium finish of the season with second place in round 14 – enabling the MGR Motorsport driver to wrap-up the coveted title with two races to spare.

After a truly outstanding season, which has included six wins, four pole positions and five fastest race laps, the 18-year-old’s success also marks the first ever championship victory in any category for Mark Godwin’s Bardon-based MGR squad.

“What a great race and a great way to win the championship with another podium”, said the elated title winner.

“The car has been great everywhere really this year, the team has been fantastic, and it’s been down to me to seal the deal.

“To win championships you don’t necessarily have to win races, just score points and keep on the podium as much as you can and that’s what we’ve done.

“As a single-seater driver, obviously I’d like to go up to European Renault or somewhere like that but it’s all down to the budget. We’ll work hard over the coming months where that’s concerned but we do have one or two things in the pipeline which might be a surprise!”

Beginning the weekend with second place to main rival Weiron Tan (London) during round 12 on Saturday, and adding third position in round 13 on Sunday, Middlehurst went into the final race of the event with one hand well and truly on the champion’s trophy.

His title victory was then assured when Fortec Motorsports racer Tan, who dominated the first two Rockingham outings, was forced to retire from the final race on the eighth lap with an engine issue.

Protyre Formula Renault now takes a seven week break from action with the final two races of the 2013 season, rounds 15 and 16, taking place at Silverstone National Circuit over the weekend 28/29 September as support to the British Touring Car Championship.