Jamie Sharp emerged as the surprise victor of the 50th Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch on Sunday, climbing from sixth on the grid to take the coveted crown in a dramatic final.

The 20-year-old, who had only won one race at national level in the category before the event, ensured his B-M Racing team secured back-to-back victories having guided Rory Smith to the title last October.

Former British F4 racer Sharp initially inherited the lead of the 20-lap final when two-time event winner Joey Foster made an uncharacteristic mistake at Clearways at half distance, dropping his Firman into the gravel.

Earlier, the duo's chances had been boosted when second-place runner Oliver White collided with Irishman Niall Murray on the approach to Druids on lap four, with Murray's Van Diemen spearing into 16-year-old Tom Mills.

All three were out on the spot, with Foster leading from Sharp and Kevin Mills Racing driver Neil Maclennan as the safety car was called.

But when Cornishman Foster was caught out on a damp patch at Clearways, his bid for a third Festival crown was over and Sharp was the new leader.

Spectrum driver Maclennan grabbed top-spot at Druids three laps later, but the manoeuvre was completed under a yellow flag as former World Rally Championship driver Robert Barrable and British GT star Matt Cowley had crashed up Hailwood's Hill.

The Scotsman didn't give the place back, and was later excluded from the results for the overtake, but Sharp won the race on the road regardless after passing Maclennan at Surtees with just three laps to go.

"I still can’t believe we did it and after a difficult weekend making a few costly mistakes in the build-up races, it was the last thing I expected lining up sixth for the final," Sharp, from Rochdale, said.

"Well done to everyone who raced, it was a serious grid and great racing all weekend.

"It's an honour to now be on the same list as the amazing people who have previously won the Formula Ford Festival."

From 13th on the grid, Team USA Scholarship star Max Esterson took an impressive second-place finish, with team-mate Andre Castro third and Foster eventually classified seventh.

Newly crowned British GT champion Dennis Lind was ninth, with his uncle and former Formula 1 driver Jan Magnussen 11th – almost three decades since his Festival victory in 1992.

Circuit owner and ex-F1 racer Jonathan Palmer was joined at the post-race celebrations by Scott Dixon, the six-time IndyCar champion, and Bruno Giacomelli, who took part in 82 Grands Prix.

The 1999 F1 runner-up Eddie Irvine also attended the event, which was hit by heavy rain on Sunday morning and attracted a huge 98-car entry list.

For an archive feature on the history of Brands Hatch, click here

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