Tim Reeves lost his grip on the World Sidecar title despite a victorious end of season race in Le Mans.

Reeves, from Aylesford, and his passenger Patrick Farrance guided their F1 machine to first place at the French circuit but it wasn’t enough to deny their Finnish rivals.

A second place for Pekka Päivärinta and Timo Karttiala in the race was enough to secure them the title which Reeves had held since 1995.

Reeves and Farrance finished just two points behind the title winners in the final standings. They ended the series with four race wins, two seconds, one third and were off the podium only once as they took fourth in Germany.