MARK Wakefield improved every time he went out on track during the latest MINI Challenge UK round at Brands Hatch.

The Northwich teenager appeared on course for a testing weekend at the Kent circuit when, after battling a handling issue with his car, he could only classify 21st in qualifying.

He had climbed to 17th by the end of race one, during which he continued to wrestle problems with grip behind the wheel of his new-for-2016 machine.

Wakefield crossed the line 11th in the second sprint the next day, and was back in the top 10 again when the chequered flag fell for the third.

His target is to be mixing it with the fastest drivers on the grid again when the series arrives at home circuit Oulton Park for its penultimate round next month.