SWINDON’S Lucas Romanek has enjoyed a sensational start to the national Formula Ford season, with wins at Donington, Silverstone and Oulton Park, to secure the lead in the United Series and second in the National Championship.

The 19-year-old, who races for Oldfield Motorsport, has rarely been off the podium in the early stages and remains firmly in the mix for multiple titles.

In his first race of the season at Donington Park, Romanek began on pole after an excellent qualifying session but slipped back to end the race third. In almost every event after that, the talented teenager improved on his qualifying position to maintain his thirst for trophies.

The second race at the Leicestershire track saw Romanek quickly move up into second before battling with Middlehurst at the front. But going into the old hairpin, Middlehurst suffered significant mechanical failure, putting him out of the race, and allowing the Swindon driver to coast towards a straightforward victory.

At Silverstone in mid-April, Romanek bounced back from a qualifying incident to win both United Formula Ford races and claim the coveted Jim Walsh Trophy in the second, taking fastest lap in both.

The 19-year-old surged from 11th to triumph over two-time Walter Hayes Trophy winner Michael Moyers and Formula One Esports champion Lucas Blakeley in race one, and claimed gold in the incident-packed second event ahead of Moyers and Ammonite Motorsport’s Nolan Allaer from Michigan, USA.

Leading the United championship on 24 points, Romanek turned his attention to Oulton Park for the opening round of the National Formula Ford 1600 Championship.

Having qualified eighth, Romanek made a great start and was quickly with the leaders. And by the start of the second lap, the Swindon driver was in third place and fighting for the lead.

Setting the fastest lap along the way, Romanek overtook his team mate Brandon McCaughan for the lead, and the 19-year-old clung on for victory in a photo finish.

Romanek’s next race is at Castle Combe on May 1 for their May day madness event. The Swindon talent will be supporting the Doing It For Dan charity, set up in memory of Dan Climance who died at the age of 11.

Romanek said: “This is a fantastic local charity supporting youngsters in their sport of choice.

“The Castle Comble event actually means a lot to us as a family too as it’s the 10th anniversary of the Dave Alan Trophy, named after a Honda employee.

“With many of my family and friends having worked in the Swindon Honda plant, it will be an honour to race Formula Fords at the same event.”