MARK Wakefield celebrated a thrilling first victory on Sunday since switching to the MINI Challenge UK – at a circuit he had never even seen previously!

The Weaverham teenager squeezed past leader rival Rick Page on the final lap of the afternoon’s third sprint following a near race-long battle at Rockingham.

“A magic moment,” was how dad Nigel described his son crossing the line.

“I jumped up and down shouting all sorts, but I couldn’t help it.

“Mark drove brilliantly all day, we’re chuffed to bits.”

Wakefield, a rookie in the series’ Cooper class last year, had stood on the podium at the end of the second round’s other races too.

After qualifying seventh fastest, he had climbed to third place by the time the flag fell in the first.

He set the fastest lap too, a 1:39.738.

And Wakefield went one better in the second race, following Nathan Harrison over the line after nudging past Page in a fight at the front of the field.

Nigel said: “For me, getting that first podium at the start of the day was enough. I was happy.

“But it just got better and better from then on.

“It’s a breakthrough; we knew Mark was capable, but going out there and getting those results proves it.”

The series resumes at Silverstone in a fortnight.

Mark Wakefield is looking for support to help him through to the end of the campaign.

To find out how you can help, call Nigel Wakefield on 07793 325989.