NORTH Yorkshire teenager Steven Coates is celebrating after clinching the Formula Euro First championship at Castle Combe in Wiltshire last weekend.

A strong third place in the closely-contested race gave the 19-year-old from Scorton, near Richmond, enough points to make the championship his with one round to go.

The weekend did not start well. While holding a comfortable lead in the qualifying race on Saturday, only Coates' quick reactions in killing the engine when the oil light flashed and stayed on averted disaster.

His actions meant the problem was confined to the oil pump, but the engine still had to be removed and stripped to ascertain the problem. A new oil pump was located 40 miles away in Bristol and arrived at the circuit with only an hour and a half to go before the race.

The Coates garage team pulled out all the stops to get the car ready for the race, but the youngster had to start at the back of the grid after his non-finish in the qualifying race.

A gallant and mature drive saw him cross the finish line in third place to clinch the title.

Coates, who is the first privateer for ten years to win the Euro First championship, said he was especially grateful to his family and long-time sponsors Sports Craft Motorhomes, plus all the other local firms who have helped out.

The teenager, who works at Croft Circuit as a race instructor, is now hoping to compete in one of the major single-seater championships next season