• Formula Vauxhall champion ties for lead in new series

On his debut in the European Formula Palmer Audi Winter Series, Cambridge-based racer Rob Huff took a second and a third place in the two races at Snetterton circuit today, Sunday, November 12 - and is now joint leader of the prestigious championship. With two races at Brands Hatch this coming weekend to settle the championship, 20-year-old Huff is on course to claim his second championship victory of the year, having dominated the 2000 Formula Vauxhall Championship.

A much more advanced race car than the Formula Vauxhall Huff has raced this year, the powerful EFPA car with it's turbo-charged engine presents a major challenge to a young racer - but it was one that Huff rose to. "It's a very different car to what I have driven before," said 20-year-old Huff, "so I was very pleased to qualify third on the grid for the first race. The track was wet at the start of the qualifying session, but began drying in the last few laps, allowing me to set a quick time. The track was still wet for the second session, very greasy, and I was fourth quickest - which was a bit disappointing!"

"I made the most blistering start I have ever managed at the beginning of the first race, I went between the two cars in the front row and into the lead! But after two laps, a couple of cars went off and the race was stopped - and we had to line up again in grid order. This time I was not quite so good off the line, and only managed to snatch second place. I had a go at the leader but didn't get through - though I was delighted to take second at the end of my first race in the car. On the podium and lots of points - great!

"In the second race I slotted into third at the start, but the two guys in front looked like they were going to take each other out the whole race long, so I sat back a bit. I got passed briefly, but was in third again by the next lap, and closed on the lead pair towards the end of the race. We came across some back-markers in the last corner which made it interesting, but we got through and I was third - and on the podium again.

"I couldn't have asked for much better from the day, and now I'm looking forward to Brands Hatch next weekend. It's only a four race championship, so to be sharing the lead at the halfway stage is great. You can't afford a bad race and just have to finish as high as possible, and that's what I intend to do next weekend. Jonathan Palmer [series organiser and former Formula One star] mentioned how well I'd done - it's nice to be appreciated!"

Next Race: Brands Hatch, Kent, 19 November 2000