Kieran Vernon is about to clinch his first championship, just 20 months after taking up racing.

The 14-year-old karter from West Chiltington will win the Formula Six Championship crown providing there are no disasters in the final round of the series at Lydd in a fortnight.

After wins in each of the last three rounds, Vernon holds a big lead over his nearest rivals.

His father Keith said: Kieran is 60 or 70 points ahead and you dont lose that sort of lead unless something disastrous happens.

Lydd is one of his favourite tracks and we expect him to win the race even though he doesnt have to.

Vernon, who attends Steyning Grammar School, was a late starter in karting.

Keith said: He started doing junior royale earlier last season but he changed to TKM racing because he couldnt get on with it.

We rang up TKM and asked if they had a kart he could try out on. The first time out he won at Bayford Meadows just after Christmas.

He had a few engine failures and crashes early on but since then it has gone really well.

People like Alan Turney, who owns TKM, have said some very nice things about Kieran.

He is a very quick racer. Sometimes Kieran has a problem with his lack of experience compared to others but his speed is impressive.

While Super One is seen as the premier karting series in the country, F6 is its southern equivalent and attracts top quality fields.

Keith said: There are 12 drivers in Super One while there are 26 national drivers in F6. Kieran has beaten some of the Super One drivers and he is now considered the favourite for Super One next year.

The good thing about him is he is not arrogant and he is always prepared to help the younger drivers.

As for the future, he wants to do some form of single-seater motor racing but as long as he progresses he will be happy.

Scott Tait took full advantage of his closest rivals absence to extend his lead in the Production A Championship at Aldershot raceway.

The 17-year-old from Steyning coaxed his misfiring GW and G Bridges backed Fiesta to fourth in the first heat but followed up with a strong third in heat two.

The final, which was also a one-off race for the Aldershot Open Championship, proved a controversial clash.

Tait powered into second with eight laps to go and then closed up on the leader with two laps remaining.

However, the frontrunner clattered into Tait and the pair clashed several times before crossing the line side-by-side.

Despite narrowly finishing second, Tait was promoted to first as his rival was penalised for deliberate contact.

Victory gave Tait his third Aldershot Open title and puts him 40 points ahead with two rounds remaining.

Junior Shane Somner finished second in heat one, spun out in heat two and after lining up on the fourth row for the 20-lap final, came eighth.