James races to national triumph at 15

James Colburn (15), of Hillside Avenue, Worthing, has won the 2008 Saxmax Championship with two rounds still to go.

The championship is open to drivers aged between 14 and 17 who race identical Citroen Saxo VTR cars prepared for speeds of up to 130mph.

James's impressive season started with two second places at Brands Hatch followed by seven consecutive wins and seven pole positions '“ a record for the championship.

His dad, Richard Colburn, said: "I'm very proud of him. He's worked very hard for this and he's really excited to win. It's very unusual to win that many races in a row. It's a lot of pressure for a 15-year-old but he's quite a cool character."

James, who is a Year 11 pupil at Worthing High School, started his racing career at seven in karting, progressing through cadets to national level and eventually competing in the British Championship.

For the full story, see the West Sussex Gazette issue dated September 17