MALVERN-based Peter Chambers Motor Racing are celebrating after their young driver, Charlie Watt, took third place in the Silverstone round of the BRSCC Formula Ford Zetec Championship on Saturday.

His podium position was a tremendous achievement given that Silverstone was Charlie's first race of the season in his new car, sponsored by Ross-based recruitment consultancy Candidate One..

The race itself was packed full of incident and excitement. Charlie qualified sixth on the grid and, after a magnificent start, had taken fourth position by the end of the first lap.

An accident, involving three cars, caused the race to be stopped and cancelled out his gain. After the subsequent re-start, he lost two places and had to fight his way through the field to capture his third place.

Charlie said: "I've never even been to Silverstone before, let alone raced here. I was up against some very stiff competition and I'm really pleased to have battled my way through. To be on the podium at Silverstone is a fantastic feeling."

Charlie, aged 17, from Ross-on-Wye, secured his drive with the Peter Chambers Racing Team on the back of a similar performance at Snetterton last year. Following strong performances in testing all year, Charlie was rewarded with his first race start. He took his chance and drove a magnificent race.