• Third place enough to move Cambridge driver further ahead

Robert Huff took third place in Round Three of the Formula Vauxhall Championship, at Snetterton, Norfolk, today, the Cambridge racer recovering from an engine problem which lost him the lead on the opening lap. Though disappointed to lose his unbeaten record in the series, having dominated the opening two rounds, 20-year-old Huff finished ahead of his closest championship rival, and now has a six point advantage at the top of the points table.

For the first time this season, Huff's Jim Russell Racing team failed to qualify its two cars on the front row of the grid for the 12-lap race. "I'm not really sure why," said Huff, who qualified fourth. "I think it was a case of we didn't get ourselves organised and I couldn't get a tow anywhere." At a high-speed circuit like Snetterton, using the tow - slipstream - of another car, can be the difference between a good lap and pole position.

Huff won his Formula Vauxhall drive by winning the Jim Russell World Scholarship, beating young racers from across the globe. In the race he repeated his feat of taking the lead on the opening lap, as he has done in every race in the series so far this season.

"I made a mega-start!" said Huff. "I went round the outside of two cars, and went ahead into the first corner by going inside the leader. Then, coming out of the second corner, the engine hesitated, almost as if the rev-limiter cut in early, and I was suddenly back in fourth.

"I caught my team-mate who was in third, then he made a mistake and I was into third, and I was able to reel in the car in second place. I was lining him up to go past on the straight on the final lap, when I ran a little wide into the first corner and he opened a gap again. I thought I might be able to gain another place - and would have if there had been another lap - as the leader slowed half-way round the last lap, but he just held on and I took third.

"I'm disappointed not to win, but quietly pleased to be still leading the championship. It would have been nice to take another win - but at least my lead has grown and it's the championship that's important."

Next race - Zolder, Belgium, 21 May