NORTH Yorkshire racer Mark McAleer became the first-ever Porsche 924 racing double champion when he clinched the Formula Colway Porsche 924 title for the second year running at Brands Hatch.

Second place in the final race of the series, at the Kent circuit, gave the 36 -ear-old driver from Richmond, Yorks, the points he needed to become Formula Colway champion.

While everything went McAleer's way at Brands Hatch, the ten-lap race was disastrous for Martin Wood.

Wood went into the series finale as one of the favourites to grab the title, and was equal top on points with McAleer and with no less than seven race wins to his credit.

However, his hopes of the title ended soon after the start.

A minor collision with another competitor ripped the valve from one of his Porsche's rear tyres and, while the Lancastrian driver battled on for several laps, he was forced to pull out from the race, dropping him to fourth overall in the final championship table.

Keith Penman, from Darlington, took a start-to-finish victory in the final race of the season, with McAleer two-and-a-half seconds in arrears.

But, while he raced his Victoria Motor Sport prepared Porsche to second place McAleer was unaware he was on course to win the title.

"Martin Wood was my biggest threat, but although I knew he was not immediately behind me, I did not know his position," said McAleer.

"It was not until I left the track I was told that Martin had pulled out and that I was the champion."