HEREFORD teenager Josh Young was denied his first-ever win in the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) Mighty Minis Championship after losing control just two miles of the chequered flag.

The 18-year-old Hereford Sixth Form College student was leading the second round of the championship in monsoon-like conditions when his 1275cc Austin Cooper S veered off the notorious Paddock Hill bend at Brands Hatch.

The downhill right-hander, which has witnessed some infamous crashes over the years, caught Young out and led to the more experienced competitor Paul Inch to nip down the inside on the final lap.

"I am proud of the fact that I led for so long in such difficult conditions, but am gutted,"said Young.

The teenager is building his racing ambitions around the platform #MightySafeDriving, with the intention of raising awareness of road safety through the charities RoSPA, Brake and ELY Memorial Fund.

"Moments like this are what it’s all about," added Young.

"We raced hard in heavy rain, but there was respect between the drivers and we were all aware of the dangers.

"And even when it came to a sticky end, I was protected by my roll cage, six-point harness, HANS device and helmet, fireproof overalls and all the rest.

"The marshals, as ever, did a brilliant job of getting me out safely."

The BARC Trophy moves to Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park circuit at the beginning of May, and Young heads north with the support of Aspens Services, who are caterers at his college, and Sixth Sense Fitness gym.