Dave Longhurst is the new National Hot Road world champion.

The Worthing race ace clinched the title at Spedeworth's Foxhall Heath Stadium, Ipswich, last Sunday.

It completed a marvellous weekend for the 44-year-old who also finished second in the 2-litre hot road world championship.

Longhurst, the formula's most successful ever driver, had won the 2-litre world title on five previous occasions but had never won the national crown.

However, he enjoyed a fantastic weekend and emerged as a popular winner.

Longhurst said: "I am over the moon. That is what I have always strived for and looked for and it is fantastic to win it after all these years.

"It is the ultimate, the highest you can go in the sport."

Competitors took part in 16 qualifying rounds leading up to last weekend's grand final and Longhurst had been in good form.

He won the 2-litre national championships recently and finished second in the under 500 national hot roads.

The West Park Clio man said: "In the national class last year we went through a bad patch around this time. We have been one of the frontrunners this year and have been striving for this. It has all come together this year."

Longhurst has now won everything he can win in his field of sport but he has no intention of giving up.

His participation in the more expensive national class depends on sponsorship but he is determined to be back next year.

He said: "Winning it was fantastic. I have got to retain it now."

Craig Rainer picked up another 'Driver of the Day' award as he maintained his lead in the latest rounds of the Ford Saloon Championship.

Defending champion Rainer, from Crawley Down, claimed more valuable points at Pembrey in South Wales for rounds seven and eight of the series. A poor turn-out from fellow class B competitors meant the Wealden Racing Team driver was competing on his own in class.

The spectators were still presented with a stunning display of driving as Rainer battled with the higher powered class A cars.

In qualifying, he placed the MkII RS2000 Escort on the third row of the grid, just behind the class A Cosworths.

The start of the first race saw Rainer up to fourth place by the first tight hairpin.

He tried to make a further impression on the leading trio but was unable to do so and finished fourth.

Race two on Sunday was more of a battle. Rainer got another good start and was soon challenging the Cosworths. The demise of Graham Wait in his Sierra Sapphire put Rainer up to third on lap five and he was soon on the tail of Irvine Anderson.

He harried Irvine for four laps before getting more drive out of the last corner and shot past him on the start/finish straight to take second overall.

Rainer still holds the overall lead of the championship but there are now four class A rivals all within 15 points of him, the closest just eight points behind.

The next race is at Rockingham on August 16-17.