MARK Wakefield insists a fight to win the MINI Challenge UK title is not yet over despite missing out on a podium place during the latest round at Brands Hatch.

The teenager had hoped to apply pressure to championship leader Brett Smith during three races at the Kent circuit last weekend, only to fall further behind in the drivers’ standings.

He sits third, 133 points adrift of top spot, with three rounds of the campaign left.

However a stunning drive from the back of the grid during the final sprint on Sunday, when he crossed the line in seventh spot, left him in high spirits.

“Those races are the most fun,” he said.

“I enjoy the challenge of charging through the field – I’ve always been comfortable overtaking even if some of the moves I did were a little bit daring.

“It meant I salvaged something, even though Brett is in a good position now.

“I won’t give up though; he’s not had any bad luck yet, so I need to be in a position to take advantage if that changes.”

Wakefield set the seventh fastest time during a qualifying session interrupted by two red-flag stoppages.

Northwich Guardian:

Mark Wakefield, right, pursues rival Henry Neal around Paddock Hill bend during the weekend's second MINI Challenge UK race at Brands Hatch

He took fifth in race one, while Smith was second, despite wrestling with a handling issue.

“I struggled to turn the car, which was annoying because I’d made a blistering start to get with the leaders,” he said.

Sunday’s opening race saw him survive contact with Henry Neal, who drove into the side of the Weaverham-based youngster’s machine after locking up on the brakes.

However a driveshaft failure later on ended early his involvement.

“It’s one of those things,” rued the 19-year-old.

“We’re not entirely sure yet why it happened - particularly because the gearbox in the car is a new one - and that’s something we’ll try to figure out before the next round.

“It’s a setback, because I’ve said all along that scoring points consistently is the key to winning the championship.

“With that in mind, a zero score can really hurt you.”

The campaign resumes, again at Brands Hatch, early next month.