Easingwold sidecar superstar Steve Webster wrote his name in the annals of motorsport history when he took his record-breaking eighth sidecar World Championship.

Second place on the day behind race winners Klaus Klaffenbock and Adolf Haenni in the 11th and final round at Brands Hatch yesterday was good enough to wrap up a long season's efforts, and give an eight point margin over Austrian ace Klaffenbock.

Webster had been previously been tying on seven titles with Rolf Biland, but he has now won his fourth title in a row, and that magnificent tally of eight officially making him the greatest ever.

Webster, and passenger Paul Woodhead entered the day knowing they only needed a fourth place and 13 points even if arch rival Klaffenbock won the race.

"It's just great to win it again, and being a new record makes it really something special. It's been a very hard season, and Klaus has pushed us all the way, and I'm really happy for Paul. He's done a great job in the chair all year - he was little bit nervous but I knew he could do it. Everyone in the team has worked very hard and it's great for everyone involved, all the hard work has been worthwhile" said a jubilant Webster.

The first championship win for Woodhead meant a long-standing ambition realised. "I've been dreaming of this for 16 years and I want to thank Steve for giving me the chance to ride with him. It's been a great season, and now it's time to celebrate."

Webbo's race plan was to stay out of trouble and collect the points needed, and his day went as planned, even thought he race had to be stopped and restarted after brothers Pete and Chris Founds crashed heavily on the ninth lap. Both were unhurt, but badly winded.

At that point, Webster was tucked in safely behind Klaffenbock after some early battling with Klaffenbock, third placed Steve Abbott, and team-mate Jurg Steinhausen. The race was restarted as a twelve lapper.

Early laps saw a carbon copy of race one until Klaffenbock got clear, and Webster fended off a challenge from Steve Abbott.

At the flag, on aggregate times, Klaffenbock won by 4.709 seconds from Webster, with Abbott a further one second behind. Steinhausen couldn't manage the pace and finished another twenty seconds down.

But the day belonged to Webster, going just fast enough to keep away from any over-enthusiastic rivals, but with enough in reserve to nurse the bike home and avoid any undue mechanical distress.

As well as being a record eighth title, it was the first four-in-a-row since Max Duebel won the series in 1961-64. It was Webster's 102nd rostrum placing in 122 race finishes - a result that means 82 per cent of his finishes have been top three places. It was also his 52nd Pole position, and the time he posted in Friday's practice to get that pole was the fastest ever lap speed for a sidecar at Brands Hatch at 1min 30.193 secs.