Last year's crown was snatched away from him, but Westcliff race ace Robbie Watts has made a flying start to the 2003 British Roadsports Championships.

Four wins from the first five rounds -- there are 14 in all -- have seen him take a 20-point lead in the race for the title he missed out on by two points last year.

"In the final race of 2002 I just had to finish in the top five and was running second when Lotus used the old Schumacher tactic on me," said the 36-year-old Renault Spider driver.

"Lotus Motorsport were my big rivals and they sent two cars on to take me out, which they did.

"I had to settle for being runner-up -- I was third in my first season the year before -- and was absolutely gutted.

"The mechanics are saying it'll be third, second, first though and I'd love to go on and win it this time."

Watts started serious racing more than a decade ago, competing in Formula Ford in 1991 and 1992 before he felt the bite of the recession.

"It was increasingly difficult to get any backing," he explained, "So I ended up having to take three or four years off."

He then enjoyed five years of racing saloon cars before switching to the Roadsport Championship in 2000.

Driving the Spider is his favourite racing experience so far, though.

He said: "I love it -- they're racing cars, not road cars, so don't need much doing to them apart from the odd tweak to the set-up."

In the future, the Southend-born has his eyes set on touring cars, with a Renault Clio or Megane his preference for next year.

"I know what I'd like to do but it's all down to funding," said Watts. "We're about halfway there and I need to say a big thanks to my current sponsors, Remco Graphics and JCF."

If interested in sponsoring Watts, call 07741 144299.

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo