Josh Smith made his Van Diemen "as wide as a bus" to secure his second Formula Ford Festival win in a thrilling final at Brands Hatch.

The Oldfield Motorsport driver rose from fourth on the grid but his victory was not confirmed until hours after the event following post-race investigations.

Smith gained the lead on lap two when Jason Smyth and early leader Jordan Kelly collided at Clearways, sending both Team Dolan drivers into a spin.

Pole-sitter Chris Middlehurst, another Dolan-run driver, had lost top-spot to Kelly on lap one after running wide at Druids, and was further delayed when his team-mates collided, allowing Smith into the lead.

But a charging Joey Foster - up from 22nd on the grid - was soon in the leading pack and passed Middlehurst for second on lap 16 around the outside of Paddock Hill Bend following a safety car period.

The Firman racer shadowed Smith until lap 22 when a near-collision between the pair after another safety car interruption caused Foster to retire at Clearways.

The incident handed second back to Middlehurst but he was unable to pass Smith, who held on over the remaining three laps to win by 0.143sec, while Luke Cooper scored his maiden Festival podium in third.

Post race, officials reviewed the near-clash involving Smith and Foster following a “report of crowding and/or contact”, but took no further action.

Middlehurst then contested the decision, but his appeal was dismissed at 7.40pm - three hours after the final had finished.

The stewards’ report stated how Foster “did not wish to make any complaint at this time”, as he knew trying to pass Smith around the outside at Clearways “would be treacherous”.

But the report showed how Middlehurst “refused to accept that decision” and added how he now plans to “take the matter to the National Court”.

Smith, who was penalised for an incident involving Smyth at Clark Curve on Saturday, described the final as a “race I’ll remember”.

The former British GT racer last won the event in 2018, also with Oldfield.

“I managed to make my car a mobile chicane - it was as wide as a bus for the last five laps,” he said.

“The win six years ago was awesome but just to solidify it with a second win, and get my name on the board in the Kentagon again [the Brands Hatch restaurant], means a massive amount.”

Smith’s triumph came aboard car number 200 - an achievement which mirrored that of the late Gerrit van Kouwen, whose 1984 victory was celebrated at the event.

The Dutchman, who died aged 60 in January, dominated the 1984 running of the Festival aboard a Lola T644E powered by Lordswood-based Minister Racing Engines.