WHITTLESEY racer Scott Tilley has been crowned national champion after an exciting final round of the National Hovercraft Championships. The title was still up for grabs going in to the final round at Jake s Place, Hinckley, but Scott, competing in his fi

WHITTLESEY racer Scott Tilley has been crowned national champion after an exciting final round of the National Hovercraft Championships.

The title was still up for grabs going in to the final round at Jake's Place, Hinckley, but Scott, competing in his first Formula Two season, held his nerve to pick up the results he needed.

The fantastic result comes just a month after the World Hovercraft Championships, in France, where second placed Scott came within a whisker of winning.

Scott, 28, said: "I am absolutely delighted to win the national championship in my first season at this level.

The Formula Two class is ultra-competitive and there are many good, experienced racers."

This close competition was reflected in the race, where Scott had to hold off the challenge of Les Brand going into the final race of the meeting.

Three wins had set Scott up nicely but he knew that a mistake in the final race, worth double points, could hand the title to Brand.

However, a second place finish in the final race was enough to give Scott the points he needed.

He said: "You just have to cross your fingers and hope that you don't get any mechanical problems when you are in that position."

Despite his success at national level, Scott has decided not to make the step up to Formula One. He explains: "The class is not as popular in Britain as it is in Europe and the rest of the world.

"I prefer Formula Two because it is so competitive and the differences between craft are so small. All the racers in the class are constantly modifying their craft to improve handling and the speed to weight ratios and I like that."

He added: "I will probably not compete in as many British races next year because I want to concentrate on a bid to win the European Championships."

Scott is also looking further in to the future. He said: "I will spend the winter testing and making modifications but I will be building a new craft before the World Championships in two year's time."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Scott can contact him via email at scott.tilley@ntlworld.com. His website can be found at www.the-racezone.com/scott_tilley/