LAST weekend saw Michelle Nixon from Little Malvern experience every aspect of motor racing from jubilant highs to crashing lows.

The Formula Woman racing was part of a large club meeting at the world famous Brands Hatch race circuit in Kent, with qualifying and races on both Saturday and Sunday.

After having only driven the circuit once the day before on Friday, Nixon got off to a flying start in qualifying, putting in a quick lap time to land pole position for Saturday's race.

She got a fantastic start and kept hold of her lead into the fast and difficult Paddock hill bend, which gave her a great line for Druids Hair Pin. With the other girls hot on her tail, Nixon managed to keep her head under immense pressure from championship leader Kirsty Jeffrey.

Nixon had to drive off the racing line for most of the race in order to stay in front and made some clever defensive manoeuvres.

The 23-year-old led the race to the finish, something almost unheard of at Brands Hatch.

Sunday saw Nixon have an awful qualifying session, which meant that she could only manage a disappointing seventh on the grid.

She got a flying start in the race, moved up to fifth and managed to gradually move her way up the field and was challenging for third position on lap 10 when back markers forced her to go around the outside at Cierties.

She ran out of track and at speed hit the wet grass, which sent her straight off. Her Caterham Roadsport hit the barriers head-on, her car jumped in the air and span 180 degrees. Marshalls were quick to the scene and after preventing the car from bursting into flames, Michelle was rushed off to hospital.

After a lengthy time in x ray, she had somehow managed to escape any broken bones, having sustained serious whiplash and bruising.

Nixon hopes to be back on winning form in time for the final race meeting on September 23 and 24, at Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk.