Finn Smart-Weeden made history when he became a British champion.

The Faversham rider won the 2023 Hel Performance with Motocorse British Junior SuperSport Championship at Donington Park to become the youngest winner.

He is also the last-ever British Junior SuperSport champion. The class will not exist from next year.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said the 16-year-old, who has started in sixth form at the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School and lives in Painters Forstal.

“I’ve worked so hard this year and had to also sit my GCSEs. This has been my dream for years and I’m elated.

“I’d like to thank my dad Steve for building me the best bike and competing against the big teams, my mum Georgia for being the best pitboard operator, Andy and Heidi [who help out at BSB], my brother Tom [a TT racer], LS2 Helmets who have been with me since I was about seven-years-old, R&G Crash Protection, Knox Armour, Scott Leathers, Daniel Parker [motorbike mindset coach] for keeping me sane.

“[I’d also like to thank] 100% Suspension for making sure my bike set-up worked for the track, conditions and my riding style, Dan Miller [who painted the motorbike fairings] for the wicked bike design and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School for supporting me since Year 7.

“There are loads more and they all helped me get here. Finally, I also want to say a massive well done to Lennon Docherty and Lewis Jones, who pushed me all the way.

“It was really the three of us all season so, to stand up there on the final podium with them, that was a great feeling.”

Going into the championship’s penultimate race, Smart-Weeden was joint-leader with Scotland’s Docherty on 222 points, 15 points ahead of Jones in third and 30 points clear of fourth-placed Joe Ellis.

With elevated scoring for the final round, with 35 points for a win and 30 points for second, he needed to ride strategically to secure the championship.

Smart-Weeden crossed the start-finish line fourth in Saturday’s race - nearly 14 seconds ahead of Lennon in fifth, putting him only two points ahead of second in the title fight and 10 points ahead of third.

With 35 points for the win in the next race, he needed to both beat Lennon and finish better than fourth if Jones won.

Smart-Weeden fought a strategic last race to come past the chequered flag second ahead of both his rivals for the title, finally winning by 18 points ahead of championship runner-up Jones, who finished fourth, and 32 points ahead of Lennon, who crashed out in the penultimate lap while fourth.

Smart-Weeden will be competing in a wildcard Junior SuperStock round on a 600cc Yamaha R6 at the final BSB event at Brands Hatch this weekend, as he considers what the next step will be for 2024.