RAYLEIGH'S single-seater racer Steven Durrant secured his first club class victory of the new season by winning round four of the 2008 Formula Renault BARC Championship at Rockingham.

The 17-year-old, now in his second season of car racing, led from start to finish to take the chequered flag in the category for cars built prior to 2000.

Victory places him third in the championship standings.

The Muzz Race driver lined up on the grid of a wet Rockingham circuit as the club class pole-sitter, already earning himself one bonus championship point and placing him 21st overall ahead of some of the FR2000 Class cars.

As the race got underway Durrant started well, maintaining his lead, but unfortunately he was unable to get into his stride when on lap two an accident for Ellis Harkins resulted in a red flag.

As the race had run less than two complete laps, the cars re-formed in their original order.

When the race restarted Durrant once again took full advantage of his pole position, making a brilliant start to put him 15th overall in the early stages with a cushion of three FR2000 Class cars between himself and second-place club class driver Fraser Smart.

By the midway point of the reduced 12-lap race he had a buffer of more than 20 seconds.

This included setting the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1min 37.260 secs (72.12mph) and earn another bonus championship point.

With Smart unable to catch Durrant, he took the chequered flag with a sizeable lead to claim his first victory and score maximum points - a result which certainly made up for his earlier disappointment in round three.

Then, he was forced to retire with a blown tyre after slight contact with an FR2000 car.

Durrant said: "It's the first time everything has come together, from the car's handling to being on pole and getting a good start.

"Although the track was greasy I managed to find some grip and keep myself a good distance from Fraser.

"This result was a massive improvement from round one after a blown tyre forced me to retire so overall a good weekend."

Durrant is currently third in the championship standings with 40 points and is hungry to continue his climb up the rankings.

Round five of the 2008 Formula Renault BARC Championship takes place at Cheshire's Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26.