LITTLE Malvern racer Michelle Nixon made an impressive entrance to the 2007 Mini Challenge.

The race meeting which is part of the Dunlop Great and British' Series was held at Snetterton race circuit in Norfolk.

After a disappointing qualifying session, Nixon lined up 12th for her first race in a saloon car.

She made a fantastic start and picked up four places before the first corner. After making some bold moves, she managed to make up a further five places to end an impressive fifth in class.

The second race was a similar story, with Nixon starting 11th on the grid again and she made a remarkable start, flying through the field with a great deal of pace.

After a battle with fellow competitor Andrew Cox, and with fading breaks, the 24-year-old finished fifth, gaining important championship points.

The final race of the day was a 30-minute endurance test, but Nixon's Mini Cooper incurred a mechanical fault, spelling the end of the weekend and no further championship points for the determined county driver.