Kieran Vernon insists there is more to come after a terrific debut in the Formula Ford Championship.

The Sussex teenager, who has progressed from Ginetta racing where he won a string of honours, was not expected to be too competitive in his first season at this level.

He is running a low-budget car with a 2006 chassis which puts him at a disadvantage against some of the big-spending teams he is up against.

But the 19-year-old from West Chiltington claimed two top ten finishes in the opening round at Oulton Park as well as coming second in the scholarship class, which is his prime challenge.

Vernon said: “With the car we are in and a really low budget we weren’t expected to do much.

“I hadn’t had much time in the car and we had a problem in qualifying with suspension failure so I had to start from the back.

“But I finished in the top ten twice and was second in scholarship class so it was really pleasing.

“Oulton Park isn’t a track our car is suited to. It is very bumpy with elevation changes and our car wasn’t good going over kerbs. On the smoother tracks the car should be a lot quicker.

“I had a lot of positive comments over the weekend from people who were surprised by our performance. The car hasn’t got a good reputation but we were beating brand new, top spec cars who are spending £100,000. It was exactly what we hoped for.”

Vernon finished ninth, tenth and 11th in the three races. He is next in action at Rockingham at the end of May.