HAXBY’S Tony Turner has finally won the British Superlite 600 Championship at the eighth time of asking.

The 34-year-old electrician, who first competed in the 2011 national series for lightweight single-seat race cars, was crowned the 2018 champion with one round to spare.

Turner set the tone for his memorable season by taking pole position in the first race of the first stage at Three Sisters in Wigan.

He finished second in that contest, but went on to take secure an overall first-round win in races two and three.

Moving on to Pembrey in South Wales, Turner battled with technical issues to finish fourth and third overall in rounds two and three respectively.

Round four at Devon circuit Lydden Hill witnessed another fourth-placed finish.

That meant Turner was sitting second in the championship, just a couple of points behind Ian Biswell, heading into round five at his “home” circuit in Teesside.

He went on to take pole position and won the annual Masters Cup for a third consecutive year during the first day of competition.

Winning the final race on Sunday then saw him claim second position overall for the fifth stage of the competition.

Round six saw the series return to Three Sisters with Turner qualifying in pole, before coming second overall after filling every position on the podium.

The result propelled him to the top of the championship with only three rounds to go.

A return to Teesside followed, as did another pole position, with a third-placed finish in race one, followed by back-to-back wins after great starts off the line.

The final two rounds were hosted by Rockingham Raceway, with Turner leading the championship on paper but, as all competitors dropped their worst rounds, Phil Redfearn was actually one point better off.

An outright win in round eight, however, gave Turner an unassailable lead at the top of the standings, following a pole position and two race wins.

Round nine, therefore, was a formality as Turner could enjoy the fruits of eight years’ hard work.

Afterwards, he paid tribute to those who have helped him along the way, saying: “I cannot thank several people enough who have supported me this season, including my stepdad Nick who preps the car and keeps it on the circuit.

“I’m also grateful to my wife Laura and daughters Olivia and Esme, as well as my grandparents who have helped with some of the funding for tyres.

“Finally, I’d like to express my thanks to all the Norasport officials who have put on a great season of racing and all of my fellow competitors who have made it hard work out on the circuit, but really enjoyable.

Turner is now seeking sponsorship for the 2019 season.

Any interested parties, can email turnerracing84@hotmail.com or get in touch by phoning 07825 168 315.