There were celebrations all round when Jake Roberts, of New Hedges, won the prestigious title of Class 7 national champion at the 2015 National Autograss Championships.

The event, held near Hereford, saw competitors from all over the UK and Ireland compete for the biggest title in the sport.

It proved to be one of the biggest events ever seen with thousands of spectators flocking to watch the action.

Roberts, 21, has become the youngest person in autograss history to take the win in the super saloon class.

He began racing at age 13 in a Junior Special, his highest accolade being third at the junior nationals.

Aged 16, he moved straight into the fast-paced Class 7 super saloons and was instantly recognised for his potential.

His consistency and top results meant he was due a big win. Roberts’s current car is a Mini pick-up shell with two 1340cc Suzuki Hayabusa engines in the back, built by John Gay at XCWorx.

The car is prepared by Jake, his dad Mike Roberts, of Rumbleway Service Station, which sponsors Jake, and his uncle, former champion Bruce Campbell.

With the standard of the car and the ability of the driver, he was one of the favourites ahead of the nationals.

Jake fought his way through the three heats gaining a second, third and fourth.

This put him joint eighth, and with eight places up for grabs in the final, it meant there was a run-off between him and two other cars.

He needn’t have worried as he left the other two standing and secured his place in his first ever national final.

The final was made up of the top cars and drivers in the country, including favourite Craig Bagley. Bagley had a poor start and it was Roberts who emerged from the top bend as the leader.

With what felt like a very long eight laps, Jake managed to keep a cool head and stayed as the leader until he sailed past the chequered flags.

Roberts will now be concentrating on the British Autograss Series, where he is currently lying fifth, with the next BAS round back at the same venue where hopefully it can provide some more outstanding results for the young Welshman.