Worcester racing driver Tim Matthews achieved what he has described as his best-ever result in a 33-year career on both two wheels and four.

He finished second in the final round of the UK Historic Sports 2000 Championship at Brands Hatch, thus finishing fourth in the series overall.

Almost 50 drivers turned out to compete in the final round of the series, held as part of the Formula Ford Festival.

Matthews elected to drive only in the qualifying session, and the decision seemed a good one when he qualified second, his best ever grid position, in his Royale car.

With rain falling Matthews elected to stay on slick tyres, and it proved an inspired decision.

His start was good but not brilliant and he lost one place to championship leader Andy Giles in his Lola before the end of the start straight. By the time they reached Druids hairpin Matthews had dropped to fifth.

He said: "By lap three the car felt good and the mayhem of the first few laps had sorted itself out. We were all very close although I could see the leader getting away a bit.

"In the next couple of laps I had managed to get back to third only to make a stupid mistake and drop back to fourth again. Giles is a tough competitor to overtake and eventually I managed to force my way back inside him at the hairpin.

"Eventually I managed to get some air between us and pulled away. Martin Ellis was about 200 yards ahead by this time and although I managed to get right on his tail I didn't have enough time to make a pass and he won by just under a second.

"I'm pleased to have finished fourth in the championship as I only did half a season. This must mean we have a real chance of winning next year.