CANTERBURY firefighter Phil Hetherington has extended his lead at the top of the Super Mighty Mini Championship, with first and sixth place finishes in the latest rounds at Snetterton.

After qualifying in pole position for the first race, the 38-year-old came from fourth at the start of the final lap to take the chequered flag from Tony le May.

Following his opening race success, Hetherington took pole position for the second race.

Despite holding a good lead for the first four laps, le May and Nev Kirkpatrick passed the Charing driver on lap five.

Disaster then struck as Hetherington’s rear end was hit by another driver, sending him spinning backwards into the next corner.

Despite the car stalling and from then on violently vibrating and handling badly (a result of the tyre tread burning clean off), Hetherington kept the car going to eventually register 14 championship points.

Coupled with the 20 points earned from race one, Hetherington is now six points ahead of nearest challenger Pat Ford.