Southampton driver Steve Gordon has just become the most successful XR2 driver in the national Stock Hatch championship - in only his second season in racing.

He clinched top spot in the category with another solid performance in the rain in the championship finale at Oulton Park on Saturday.

After an early-season setback at Lydden Hill in April had dropped him down the field, Gordon set his sights on becoming the top XR2 driver, and a place in the top ten overall, in a championship dominated by the fuel injected might of the Peugeot 205 and Suzuki Swift.

And through consistency and reliability throughout the season he comfortably achieved his targets with eighth place overall, and domination of the XR2 field.

It was an impressive feat considering that this is possibly the most popular club level championship in the country.

It boasted a massive 98 drivers in 2000, and the XR2 is by far the most popular choice of car with 45 drivers lining up in the old Ford, despite the power advantage of the 205.

The championship is fought at many of the UK's major racing circuits such as Silverstone, Snetterton, Cadwell Park and Oulton Park. Despite the small engines, no larger than 1.6 litre, the cars corner at 100 mph and reach top speeds of around 120 mph.

Stock Hatch, as the name implies, is open to hatchback cars that are basically standard (stock), with strictly limited modifications allowed, primarily to the suspension. Weight limits are used to try to give each type of car a fighting chance. with the result that racing is close - door handle to door handle.

Steve prepares his own car for racing with the assistance of a few family and friends. Tuning is supplied courtesy of EFI Performance Centre in Fareham.

Steve will now be taking a few weeks to consider where his racing career can go from his recent success. In the meantime, if you want to see Steve in action, you could always visit his website at www.gordonracing.co.uk for the latest gossip, pictures and video clips from the 2000 season.