SAM MITCHELL raced to the top of the Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC) Formula Ford 1600 Championship series with a spectacular double victory at Snetterton.

It was an even more impressive feat for the Cirencester-based Cotswold School sixth former – son of former racing driver Westie – as he had never previously tackled the Norfolk circuit.

Mitchell has now won three of the first seven races in the series – he was also successful at Cadwell Park – and with nearest rival Simon Toyne failing to finish in the second of the two Snetterton races, he has amassed a 22-point lead with six races remaining.

The Rest Express-sponsored driver, racing a Merlyn Mk20, certainly caused a surprise by qualifying on pole position, just over a second ahead of his Ben Simms.

Sam saw the track for the first time during Friday’s test session and had just a half-hour to come to terms with the braking points, racing lines and best overtaking opportunities.

He showed good pace for a track novice and managed to set a time approximately half a second off some of the top drivers – the first positive of the weekend.

Qualifying then saw Mitchell, Toyne and David Wild head the pack on track, respectively posting top-five times lap after lap.

Mitchell managed to get past Toyne on the infield section and made his escape crossing the line to end the session on a 2.06.767 – pole position by over a second.

In Race One, Sam started on the dirty side of the track which meant Simms got the initial advantage into turn one. An incident involving two cars brought the safety car out after just one lap.

The restart saw Sam get a good tow on Simms allowing him to pull alongside as they entered turn one. Ben had a spin at the top part of the circuit, leaving Sam in complete control to cruise home for victory.

As an added bonus, this particular race won him the Norman Greenway Memorial Trophy, named after the famous race commentator.

In Race Two, Sam made an even better start and led into turn one. He dealt with the early pressure of the chasing pack and gradually forged further clear. By now getting to know the track, Sam reduced his lap times by more than half a second on his Race One performance.

The final lap saw Sam cross the line with his most comfortable victory of the season. Sam becomes the third person to lead the championship standings this campaign and takes a healthy lead into the eighth race at Brands Hatch on July 14.