Stuart Middleton sealed the 2016 Ginetta Junior vice-champion’s honours in impressive style during the season finale at Brands Hatch last weekend.
After seeing the overall title go the way of Will Tregurtha in the previous meeting at Silverstone, Middleton headed to Kent determined to secure second in the points.
The Ashington-based driver did exactly that with a sensational performance over the weekend, which included a seventh win of the campaign – more than any other driver.
That came courtesy of a superb drive in the opening race, as Middleton climbed from sixth on the grid to fourth heading into an early safety car period.
At the restart, Middleton swiftly worked his way through to second, before reeling off a series of fastest laps to close down race leader Lewis Brown.
Their battle went down to the last corner on the final lap, with a brilliant exit out of Clearways allowing Middleton to draw alongside and steal victory by 0.062s in a photo-finish.
That secured him pole for race two in his Douglas Motorsport Ginetta G40, with Middleton going on to be in the thick of a fierce three-way battle for the race victory.
This time around Brown got the upper hand, with Middleton eventually settling for third at the chequered flag for his fourteenth podium finish of the season.
“We’ve shown this weekend we were more than capable of winning this championship but, of course, not everything goes your way at times and that’s the way it’s been for us this season,” said Middleton.
“We’ve had some unfortunate moments, but some really good highs as well. To win one race and finish on the podium in the other this weekend is a fantastic way to end the year.
“I can’t thank the Douglas Motorsport guys enough for all they’ve done this season, they’ve given 100% all year. I have to say a huge thank you to my family as well for their support and for giving me the opportunity to race in the first place – it wouldn’t be possible without them.”
