SWINDON born driver Lucas Romanek has extended his lead in National and United Formula Ford Championships, after a double win in Donington and Brands Hatch.

The two victories means that the 18-year-old now leads in both Championships with the season at the halfway point.

For the National Championship, Romanek started the race in second, but it only took three laps for the Wiltshire driver to make his move past Chris Middlehurst at Macleans bend and take the lead at Donington.

After Romanek led the pack with a considerable gap for most of the race, drivers Brandon McCaughan and Middlehurst worked hard to reduce the lead and catch up with the race leader on the final lap.

It then became a dramatic side-by-side for the trio, but Romanek was able to hold on and come out victorious by 0.6 seconds, bringing his overall race wins to three in the National Championship.

After the race, the youngster from Swindon said: :”I had to work hard, first off trying to stick with Chris [Middlehurst]. Once I got past, I could see them battling behind, once Chris got clear, he found some good pace midsection and caught me up, somehow, I managed to hang on.”

Up next for Romanek was the United Formula Ford Championship at Brands Hatch, and he was able to secure pole position with an impressive time of 50.15.

The Wiltshire driver started the race excellently and never looked in danger throughout, setting the fastest lap of 50.53 and winning with a comfortable gap of 2.8 seconds.

After the win, Romanek said: “I was really keen to win the Peter Rogers Trophy [at Brand Hatch], this is such an achievement and a great start to the Champion of Brands.  It has been such a great weekend, the car felt perfectly set up throughout testing and onto today. It was also fantastic to see so many race fans here today, it really makes a difference”.

The Swindon driver’s next race is on the 15th on July at Castle Combe, and then onto Kirkistown Racing Circuit NI for the next National Formula Ford Race.