A TALENTED former John Masefield High School pupil impressed in his first season racing cars after enjoying success in karting.

Josh Martin, 17, finished third overall in the Mini Challenge Cooper Class drivers' championship with seven podium finishes over the year.

The Eldersfield teenager also celebrated being one of only 18 drivers to be selected for the Motorsport UK Academy.

Martin won karting championships multiple times before taking on the new competition when he bought and built a racing Mini with his father.

The season proved to be a massive learning curve for the duo and at the beginning of the year their aim was to get a podium finish.

They did not envisage being in a championship battle going into the last round.

Martin started rounds one and two at Snetterton with fourth and fifth-place finishes alongside a fastest lap.

He bagged his first podiums at Oulton Park with a pair of third positions.

Over three rounds at the Brands Hatch Mini Festival, Martin proved consistent with two more third places and a fifth spot.

He was second and fourth at Croft before securing the same positions at Cadwell Park.

Three more rounds followed at Donington Park with a third, sixth and fifth in tricky conditions for Martin.

The final round at Snetterton resulted in sixth and fifth spots as he finished in the top three in the championship at his first attempt.

The young ace finished on 666 points behind champion Lee Pearce on 702 and Paul Manning on 675.

Martin, who is currently doing an aerospace engineering apprenticeship, thanked his sponsors and he is looking for more for next season.

Anyone interested is asked to email joshuamartin238@gmail.com.