CONISTON Cold driver Peter Fawcett has won the Warton Stock Car Club Championship for the first time.

The 24-year-old had competed in the Carnforth-based event, which attracts competitors from across the north of England, for several years. He finished third a few seasons ago behind winner Jonathan Clarkson, from Embsay.

But Fawcett has stepped up a level this year thanks in part to a new piece of high-tech equipment which has helped him get the best of his Ford engine-powered formula two stock car.

A set of digital scales lent to him by a friend, costing £1,500, has enabled him to get the balance of the car to an optimum level.

Once it became clear that Fawcett was in with a chance of the title halfway through the season, he decided to spend more time working on the set-up of the car in between meetings.

Using the digital scales gave him a level of precision he had previously not had.

The preparation paid off as Fawcett won seven races over the course of the season and also claimed several podium places.

Having picked up his winners' trophy at the annual presentation night last Friday, he is now looking forward to defending his title in 2006.