Nick Williamson didn't chalk up his usual class win at Cadwell Park on Sunday but he did enough to retain the Toyo Tyres Modified Production Saloon Car Championship.
Second in class and fourth overall on the day, the 45-year-old Southampton driver admitted: "It wasn't the best day's racing I've had, but at least we got the job done.
"I wanted the championship done and dusted before the last round at Thruxton on September 27, so I can go out and enjoy myself without the worry of how many points I need to pick up."
Cadwell's mountain circuit proved hard on the brakes and Williamson's Peugeot 205Gti was feeling the strain of a long, hard season. "The discs were getting warped and, on the downhill stretches at Cadwell, you have to stand on the brakes a bit. I ended up locking the wheel a few times which gets the car out of shape."
Oliver Allen, the only man capable of overhauling Williamson in the championship, finished just one place ahead of him.
It's the only time this season Williamson has failed to win the two-litre class apart from a mid- season meeting when the engine expired.
He enjoyed five overall victories on his way to a third championship in motorsport. His first was won on two wheels when, as a youngster, he competed in the North Gloucester Motor Cycle series.
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