Colin White is the new short circuit open hot rod champion.

He won the title at the Oval Raceway at Angmering, beating a host of other top drivers in a thrilling final, including Worthing star and defending champion Dave Longhurst.

Former national hot rod world champion Longhurst was on pole position after winning all three of his races in the qualifying stages.

White, however, took the lead on the 13th lap after starting third on the grid for the 25-lap final and roared to an impressive victory.

Longhurst had to settle for second place this time behind the three-times world champion from Somerset.

Young Lancing driver Darren Akehurst drove the best race of his career to take third place behind White and Longhurst.

The championship, with over £1,800 up for grabs in prize money, attracted 36 star drivers representing promotions from all over the UK.

The top 15 progressed to the final from three qualifying groups, with Burgess Hill's Patsy Enright, who twice beat White, the only driver apart from Longhurst to win more than one race.

Enright finished fifth in the final behind the fast finishing Devon man Mike Loosemore, while Rod Brewer, from Essex, was sixth.