ELLIOT Pinson is the 2016 ACU Team Green Junior Cup champion in his rookie season – despite crashing out of the final race of the year.

The 13-year-old, from Swindon, had one hand on the silverware as the BMCRC paddock headed to Brands Hatch for the final round of the season, as he led Luke Hopkins by 40 points in the championship chase.

Keen to grab as many points as he could, Pinson played it quite safe on Saturday, as he settled for third in the first race.

Early season leader Joey Lambden took the spoils, followed across the line by Hopkins.

The second race went the way of Hopkins, but with Pinson finishing second he knew a win in Sunday’s first race would clinch him the title.

And if it was a win he wanted, it was a win he got as he crossed the line victorious, more than three seconds ahead of Hopkins.

However, his winning ways didn’t last, and his plans to go out and have some fun in the final race were dashed when he suffered a mechanical problem which caused him to crash.

“That wasn’t really the finish to the season I wanted,” he said. “In the last race my clutch broke and I was stuck in top gear going into Druids so I crashed. I was okay though and luckily the championship was already decided.

“I really am amazed that I’ve managed to win the ACU Team Green Junior Cup in my rookie season. A second and third on Saturday and a win on Sunday did it. It’s been a great year.”