Halstead's Stuart Hall opened many eyes with his performances during his maiden season in the Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin.
But it was November's winter series where he underlined his talent with a superb title victory.
Driving for Fortec Motorsport, 20-year-old Hall went into the Winter Championship with a great chance of success and after a brace of second positions during the first meeting at Pembrey in Wales Hall held a crucial one-point advantage heading to the second meeting of the short series at Croft in North Yorkshire.
Third position in round three, and a race win for rival Stephen Simpson, saw the tables turned with the Team JLR driver taking a single-point lead in the championship but a stunning performance, reminiscent of 2004 Formula Renault UK champion Mike Conway, saw him take victory in round four and the fastest race lap to win the winter trophy by five points.
As team-mate to Conway during the main season, Hall was certainly in a great position to learn from the best and in only his second Formula Renault race the Fortec ace finished in the top six before going on to finish in fourth position at Silverstone in round six.
Oulton Park Island Circuit was the venue for Hall's maiden category podium and, after several top-eight finishes, he achieved his then best result of second position at Snetterton during round 17 having lapped quickest in testing and showing tremendous qualifying pace.
Another second position was his reward for a great drive at Donington Park during the final round of the season, maintaining his seventh position in the driver standings.
Reflecting on his year, Hall said: "It was absolutely fantastic to win the Winter Championship and I was delighted for everyone, especially my dad and the whole Fortec team.
"It was frustrating to not win at Pembrey and then I screwed up my start in the first race at Croft, so I put myself under a lot of pressure going into the last round.
"The main season was good, although I was disappointed not to have achieved my first win during the regular championship."
Published Thursday, December 23, 2004
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