TWO weeks after winning the British Open Championship, Robert Foster-Jones returned to the Three Sisters circuit and was again the class of the field, taking victory in the opening round of the British Super 1 kart Championship.

The Thorpe Bay teenager overcame a difficult start to the weekend at the track near Wigan, after his kart lacked pace during practice and timed qualifying.

The 17-year-old driver followed mechanic Mickey "Moose" Higham's advice to gradually work his way through the field from 26th place and finish in seventh.

A ninth in the second race saw Foster-Jones 10th on the grid for the first final.

And a complete change of electrics on the kart before the race cured the lack of power Foster-Jones was experiencing.

The Essex driver stormed to fifth place and secured a place in the vital inside line for the second final.

When a collision took out the pole-sitter, Foster-Jones moved into third before overtaking the two drivers ahead of him and pulling away.

That margin allowed him to ease off the throttle as rain started to fall and he crossed the finish line comfortably ahead.

"My consistency pulled me away (from the field) rather than outright pace, but everything was working perfectly.

"Moose and Rick (Flynn boss of Rob's team Ricky Flynn Motor-sport) were relentless in trying to find the problem and solve it.

"I've also proved that I can get a good result from such difficult circumstances. After timed qualifying, I started the day with a mountain to climb - but a winner's confidence made the difference."

Foster Jones now lies second overall in the Championship table, just one point off the lead.

The former Shoeburyness High School pupil now has a four-week wait until his next race, the third round of the Winning Series Karting Championship on May 10 and 11 May at the Lonato circuit in Italy, where he won the Winter Cup in February.