ALICE Powell admitted victory at Brands Hatch ensured she ended the W Series on a real high.

The Chipping Norton driver triumphed in the final race of the all-female championship with a superb drive.

Powell endured mixed fortunes throughout the campaign, podium finishes in the opening two races followed by a series of problems, including a bad crash and issues with her car.

But she signed off in style.

Starting from the front row, alongside championship winner Jamie Chadwick, Powell produced a superb overtaking manoeuvre to take the lead and never looked back.

It saw her claim third place overall, securing her place in next year’s event.

“The victory champagne tasted very, very good,” Powell said.

“I had a tough middle of the season, but to bounce back to be second in Assen and first here at Brands Hatch in front of my home crowd has been incredible – it’s been a truly wonderful day.”

The Oxfordshire driver admitted keeping her nerve was crucial to her race victory.

“I knew the first couple of laps were going to be tricky because it was always going to be about managing the pace and keeping it consistent for the win,” she said.

“So I stayed patient and was pleased when I realised I had a pace advantage over Jamie.

“I wanted to get past her as soon as possible so I threw one up the inside at Paddock Hill

“Jamie did really well to try and fight me around the outside, but I managed to muscle it out and take the lead at Druids.”

She added: “The crowd was incredible and that’s a huge credit to the way W Series has promoted us drivers.

“There’s been so much attention on all of us this weekend, especially the five Brits.

“It’s incredible to have so much support around us, and to win in front of my home crowd is fantastic.”

  • BRADLEY Smith secured a second successive podium finish at the FIM MotoE World Cup.

The Forest Hill rider headed into the second round of the electric series at in Austria after a fine runner-up finish in Germany last month.

And Smith continued his impressive form with third place at the Red Bull Ring – the first-ever wet race for the new class.

It sees the Oxfordshire rider, who competes for for One Energy

Racing, lie second in the overall standings in the six-race championship.

Smith finished just over four seconds behind race winner Mike Di Meglio, whose victory sees him now top the standings, and two seconds adrift of Xavier Simeon.