TEENAGE North Yorkshire driver Nigel Moore translated his dominant practice form into an assured victory at rounds eight and nine of the Formula Palmer Audi opening race at Oulton Park.

Starting from pole, the 18-year-old Ginetta racer enjoyed a good getaway from the line as fellow front-row starter and championship leader Maxime Jousse got bogged down from second.

Jousse was forced to defend his position on the opening lap, allowing Moore to build a two-second gap, which stayed fairly consistent for the rest of the race.

Having warded off the early attacks from Ramon Pineiro, Jousse did his best to put pressure on Moore in the closing stages, setting the three fastest laps of the race on his final four tours.

However, Long Marston-based Moore kept his composure, guiding his Ginetta-backed number six car to his first win of 2010 – closing the gap to Jousse in the overall championship in the process.

“I got a good start, and built an early gap to Jousse,” an elated Moore said. “From there it was a case of being consistent, staying on the tarmac and bringing it home.

“I just tried to keep the gap and I couldn’t really have asked for more, although one more win would be perfect.”

Ginetta chairman Lawrence Tomlinson, who put Moore on the Ginetta driver management programme last year, said: “This is an incredible result for Nigel, especially since he has only driven the car three times.

“He dominated the weekend – and in wet weather – showing a real tenacity and cool head to take this important victory.

“It’s great to see him leading the FPA Championship and Ginetta will be out in force at Rockingham on August 28 to cheer him on.”