Tonbridge racer Bill Sollis starred at Brands Hatch on Sunday as the Historic Sports Car Club’s new season began.

The Morris Mini Cooper S pilot took the fight to the more powerful Ford Lotus Cortinas in the Historic Touring Car events, claiming a third-place finish in the first race before triumphing in the second.

After qualifying fourth for the first encounter, Sollis worked his way to the front but a carburettor problem meant he ran short of fuel, dropping him back to third.

In the second event, he beat race one winner Mike Gardiner to the flag by 3.8s, claiming the fastest lap in his class for the second race in succession.

Other winners included John Harrison, from Swanley Village, in the Classic Clubmans races, and Rory Smith in the combined Formula Atlantic and Classic F3 events.

Smith, who won the 2020 Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch, dominated the races in his BM Racing-prepared Ralt RT4.

David Thorburn, driving an ex-Martin Brundle Ralt RT3, took two top-eight finishes in the Classic F3 division.

The British Racing and Sports Car Club is at Brands Hatch this weekend, with Caterhams, Fords and BMWs on the bill.

Adult tickets cost £16 on the gate; children under 13 are admitted free.