After finishing runner-up 12 months ago, Dale Hughes went one better at this year’s world banger racing finals in Ipswich.

The 28-year-old plant mechanic from Stone-in-Oxney, near Tenterden, won the national bangers’ category after beating 59 other drivers in the 20-lap final in his MKII Ford Grenada.

Hughes competes in the Speedworth Promotion, which stages banger racing meets all over the south of the country, along with his older brother Lee,who finished in 11th place in the same final at Ipswich.

Dale won £750 for his efforts, and his car also survived to live another day, unlike the 45 vehicles of the other finalists, which didn’t manage to complete the course.

“Sometimes a car only lasts one race in banger racing,” Hughes said. “but I raced it (the Ford Grenada) again at Eastbourne at the weekend and it’s still just about drivable!”