Established Mini racer Graham Parsons will need to keep an eye on his rear view mirror this season.

Daughter Sarah has joined him on the grid.

Sarah Parsons, 18, made her bow in the Dunlop Great and British Mini Challenge series at Snetterton last weekend and is eager to follow in her father's footsteps.

The BHASVIC student has been standing at motor circuits since the age of 12 watching her dad race and having a go at the sport herself became a dream after Graham let her have a drive at a circuit in Wales.

Sarah, from Brighton, explained: "My brother Simon wanted to have a go so dad took him to a track in Wales. It was lunchtime and he wanted a break so I asked if I could have a go. I went round and loved it so much. From then on, that's what I wanted to do.

"That was last May. I took my ARDS test in August and did my first race in September at Silverstone.

"This year I want to have fun and enjoy myself but I also want to do the best I can."

The Mini Challenge series is run with full grids of more than 30 cars and staged at the top circuits across Britain, as well as the iconic SPA Grand Prix circuit in Belgium.

Sarah, who is racing for Advent Motorsport, showed early potential in two novice races at Mallory Park last month which were non-championship events designed at giving newcomers a taste of what it is all about.

She claimed two pole positions, finished second in the first race and won the second, setting two fastest laps and claiming the Spring Cup in the process.

At Snetterton last weekend, it was a lot tougher racing among some seasoned campaigners and she found herself at the back of the pack for the first two races. However, in the 30-minute race which completed proceedings she had a great duel with Dawn Boyd before claiming ninth place in the club class.

Sarah is getting plenty of support in her racing, both from Advent Motorsport and her father, but she has a cheeky word of warning for Graham.

She said: "Advent look after lots of young driver. They sort out the whole car. Andrew Crighton, who runs it, is an instructor so it is really good to have his support.

"Dad is also there to offer help. At Snetterton I couldn't get my times back up so I chatted to dad and we talked about lines and other things. It is good to have him there.

"I have told though if he hits me it will be a case of You bend, you mend it'."

As for the future, Sarah is serious about her sport and is determined to make a success of it.

She said: "This year is a learning curve for me. I want to learn and improve my racing and, hopefully, get some results along the way.

"Then we will see where we take it."

Dad Graham showed his daughter how it is done with some excellent racing at Snetterton.

Graham, who races for Mark Fish Motorsport, came fourth in the first race after being blocked by a spinning car on the first lap and then he was all over the leader in race two before having to settle for second place.

In the 30-minute race Graham took the lead on the first lap and went on to win the race by a massive 12 seconds.

He said: "We are second in the championship and this year we are really going for it."

The next round of the series, which is televised on Sky Sports and Motors TV, is at Oulton Park on May 26-28.