Jack Nixon was crowned National Junior Superstock champion with a dramatic last-lap title win at Brands Hatch.

Going into the weekend double-header with a 13-point lead should have given Folkestone's Santander Salt Yamaha R6 rider enough of a cushion for a trouble-free run, but suspected engine problems in Saturday's race one wiped out his advantage over JR Performance's Joe Talbot to leave the championship on a knife edge.

The odds looked against Nixon when he was overtaken by Talbot on the penultimate lap of race two, but he displayed champion-like composure to dive back past moments later.

Nixon said: "Going into the final race level on points was not what we had hoped for with a 13-point lead heading into the weekend.

"It meant whoever finished in front of the other in the final race would win the championship."

Nixon started race one seventh with Talbot alongside. The title contenders got off the line well but Talbot moved up two places, with Nixon just behind.

However on lap six he pulled into the pit lane with his team fearing a complete engine rebuild. They could only watch as Talbot finished fourth to set up a last-race showdown.

The mechanics worked through the night on the bike, finishing at 2am, while Nixon's cousin, MotoGP rider Jake Dixon, joined the family to give trackside support.

Again Nixon started next to Talbot and this time catapulted ahead of his title rival into fourth place.

By lap seven of 10 Nixon was third, with Talbot fourth, and before he could challenge for Nixon's spot second-place man Affinity's Asher Durham was within range. Nixon made his move at Druids but Talbot slipped by, too, and then he put what he thought was the title-winning move on Nixon at Surtees with the final lap approaching.

Nixon however stayed with his rival and made his move underneath Talbot at Paddock Hill. Out of shape, Talbot had nothing left to give as Durham passed him as well.

Binch's Zak Corderoy won both races.

"I’m so happy and this is the biggest achievement of my racing career so far," Nixon added.

"Becoming British champion is a dream come true and I can’t thank my team, sponsors, family and all of my supporters enough!”

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