Liam Doran underlined his pre-season hype with a victory in the opening round of the Kumho Tyres MSA British Rallycross Championship at Mondello Park.

The 22-year-old from Sittingbourne started the season as one of the favourites after clinching a pair of wins in the winter series at Lydden and he retained that form in Ireland over the weekend.

Doran had to race through snow, hail and rain during the event and he started the Supercar A final fifth on the grid.

He quickly climbed to third on the first lap and by lap four was in second. Then in the final lap Doran passed pole starter Derrick Jobb to secure pole position for the Superfinal.

The youngster fended off Jobb’s challenge early on in the Superfinal and led the race from start to finish, eventually winning with plenty to spare.

“I had no problems in the Superfinal, I didn’t see anyone else after the first corner,” he said.

His father and team-mate Pat, a former Kent resident who is now residing in Devon, made it a one-two for the family and the Hydrex racing team, as the 2005 British champion finished second as Jobb crashed out.

The next round is at Pembrey, Wales on May 4.

Superfinal results: 1 Liam Doran (Ford Fiesta ST) 4m05.7s; 2 Pat Doran (Ford Fiesta ST) 4m12.9s; 3 Steve Hill (Mitsubishi Lancer E9) 4m15.3s; 4 Lawrence Gibson (MG Metro 6R4) 4m19.4s; 5 Michael Coyne (Vauxhall Nova) 4m27.1s; 6 Ian Byrne (Toyota MR2) 4m41.6s.