Essex racer Lochlan Bearman finished third in the Mini Max Stars Championships at Whilton Mill on Sunday, which leaves him in pole position in the championship.

Practice on Saturday was irrelevant for the race day as the conditions were wet and so no use for set-up for the following day, which was hot and sunny.

In the first heat, Bearman, 12, led from pole until last year’s winner, Kieran Wagg, pipped him with just over a lap to go.

Bearman started last in the second heat, where in an incident-packed race, the Theydon Bois racer finished in 18th place but kept his car undamaged.

The final heat saw Bearman 17th on the grid but he raced impressively to a sixth-place finish, meaning he started in sixth place on the grid for the final race.

Bearman started the race well, gaining two places early on, taking advantage when the leader had to pit for technical issues to finish in third place – just 0.3 seconds off the leader.

Speaking afterwards, a satisfied Bearman said: “We were all on the same pace, and on one made a mistake, so it was hard at any opportunity to overtake cleanly.

“I’m delighted to get onto the podium and the result will keep me ahead in the championship.”

The next race is a double header, with rounds six and seven at Kimbolton between June 6 and 8 and the East Anglian Trophy meeting also being held on the same weekend.