Patrick O'Donovan became the youngest-ever British Rallycross champion at Lydden Hill on Saturday – before heavy rain forced organisers to abandon Sunday's action.

The 18-year-old claimed maximum points from day one, dominating the flood-lit Supercar final to win by an astonishing 38 seconds on a new-look track featuring a banked first turn and tabletop jump.

With the title secured, the Ford Fiesta driver was favourite to win again on Sunday but "exceptional overnight rainfall" meant the event was called off.

In a statement, the championship organisers said: "The track team worked tirelessly in an effort to clear standing water, but due to the continuing heavy rainfall and a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office for the duration of the day, racing has been abandoned on safety grounds."

Sittingbourne's Mike Sellar (Citroen DS3) equalled a personal-best result with fourth in Saturday's Supercar final, but Tristan Ovenden (Adisham) was forced to retire his DS3 following contact.

Folkestone-based Mitsubishi Lancer driver Bradley Westgarth led the opening stages of his first qualifying heat, but was unable to qualify for the final.

In the Supernational category, Faversham's Stuart Emery (Peugeot 206) rolled at the Devil's Elbow in the second qualifying heat but recovered to win his next race.

Biddenden's Lee Keeler (Vauxhall Astra) suffered gearbox issues and retired on Saturday evening, while Ashford's Fred Ling showed good pace with a new 2.4-litre Duratec engine fitted to his Ford Fiesta.

Paddock Wood-based Leigh-Anne Sedgwick returned to rallycross following illness and was classified 14th of 18 starters before the event was called off.

In the Junior category, Will Ovenden enjoyed better fortune than his father, winning his first qualification race before finishing second in Q2 and Q3.

Faversham's Max Weatherley successfully defended his Swift Sport Rallycross title after a season-long fight with cousins Luke and James Constantine. Hythe-based former motocross rider Christopher O’Hara, meanwhile, was fourth after three qualifying heats.

Ramsgate's Tom Brooks made his British Rallycross debut in the RX150 'buggy' class, while Terry Moore (Ashford) and Dan Swayland (Isle of Sheppey) were only able to take part in one Retro Rallycross heat due to time constraints.

The 2023 British Rallycross Championship will start at Lydden Hill on Easter Bank Holiday weekend (April 8 and 10), before returning on Bonfire Night (November 4-5).