Pembroke Dock driver Donna Brown has celebrated a National Autograss title this season.

In September, Donna, 28, was crowned Ladies Class 3 National Champion at the Ladies National Championships in Thornborough, Yorkshire Dales.

She also finished second overall in the British Autograss Series this year, so she has had an amazing season.

A member of the South Wales Autograss League, Donna has been following the sport since she was days old. Her dad Viv Cole has been racing since he was a child after getting into the sport by following Donna’s grandfather Haydn Cole, who raced in Class 9 for many years. Also, Donna’s uncle Darrell Cole races in Class 7.

Donna’s dad has always been in Class 3, but over the years has had many different cars.

“I always wanted to have a go and finally in 2008 my dad gave in and let me have a racing licence. As soon as I got behind the wheel for the first time, I absolutely loved it. The adrenaline was amazing!”

Donna and her father share the same car, but Donna races with the ladies and her dad with the men.

Over the years, Donna has competed at many events, including British Autograss Series, UK Championships and the Ladies National Championships. She has won many trophies in top four positions and in 2009 came second at the ladies nationals.

“Every year I have wanted to beat this position, but never had the luck until this year when my dream came true and I became the ‘National Champion’!”

This was a two-day meeting with three heats and a final. After the first day, Donna was top qualifier with two wins out of two. So Saturday evening was looking good. Then on Sunday, Donna was second qualifier going into the final.

“I did not expect my dream of being National Champion to come true!”

Autograss is a great sport to be involved in and very family friendly.

Donna’s two daughters, Ellie-May (aged five) and Olivia (aged one), absolutely love the racing and make lots of friends to play with.

“I couldn’t do this hobby without such a supportive family. My dad puts a lot of hard work, time and money into preparing and making sure the car is on top form for us both. My husband, Adam Brown, is so supportive and enjoys spending hours in the garage and the pits and keeping everything tip-top at race meetings. And my mum, Kathryn Cole, plays a huge part as she looks after our girls so that I can race. I can’t thank them all enough because none of this would be possible without all their advice and support.”

Donna’s dad has won many trophies over the years he’s been racing, but only ever once won the national championships back in 1989. This is how hard and competitive racing is.

So Donna is ending the 2015 season on a high, being crowned ‘National Champion’ and second overall in the British Autograss Series, while her dad won the Grass Track Grand Prix in Northampton a couple of weeks ago.

This has been by far the best year for them.