DESPITE being battered and bruised on the track, driver Phoebe Wainman has targeted a top 12 finish next year after making her dream debut in the BriSCA F1 Stock Car World Championships.

The third-generation driver from Silsden finished 13th in the sport's season showcase in King's Lynn, Norfolk, dubbing it the highlight of her career so far.

The 23-year-old, who drove with the number 211, finished 13th out of 36 cars after a 25-lap race. Tom Harris was crowned world champion for the second time in his career.

Phoebe, who works full-time as a legal secretary and suffered a few scrapes during the race, said: "I'm really pleased. I still can't believe it.

"There was quite a big pile-up going down to the straight.

"I was battered and bruised. It was not plain sailing. It's quite common. I'm often sore on a Monday morning after racing.

"I was just so determined to finish the race and cross the finishing line.

"Three laps to go I knew I was doing well and it was getting really exciting.

"I didn't get into the top 10, top 12. But I want to get into the top 12 for next year and set some realistic goals for myself hopefully.

"I set myself little goals, even to get into the world championships. I really wanted to get to the world final this year.

"I want to be in as many races as I can. I will have goals throughout the year. There are still races on for me this year.

"The season finishes in November. The season starts again in March. The car gets battered and bruised. I need time to rebuild it. I just have one car, but I'm looking into getting a tarmac car for next year."

It was also a family affair for Phoebe at King's Lynn as she competed on the grid alongside her dad, Frankie Wainman Jr, and her uncle, Daniel Wainman, who started inside row four on the grid.

Frankie, 47, was riding high in the race, in second place at one point, until he encountered problems with his car. Frankie was alongside Harris on the grid, with the latter in pole position.

Frankie missed out on winning his fourth World Final and has now failed to win the even in its five stagings at King’s Lynn, finishing runner-up on three occasions previously.

But Phoebe says her and her dad had a touching moment after the race had finished.

She said: "I was just trying to see where my dad was. He was second but his engine blew up. I was really upset to see that.

"He was so happy for me and gave me a hug."

She began in mini stock car racing aged 14 and last year made more history, becoming the first female driver to win a national championship. She was crowned winner of the BriSCA F1 One-Car Series Championship and became the first woman to win a championship in the class in the sport's 65-year history.

Phoebe received national media coverage before Saturday's meeting as she was the first woman in 25 years to compete in the world championships.

But, unselfishly, she wants this increased exposure to be re-directed from her onto the sport of stock car racing,

She added: "I don't want it to be about myself, but the sport in general. I just want it to boost the sport."

Despite realising her dream of making the world championship, Phoebe is honest in her assessment of her 2019 season and is gunning for more glory.

She said: "I have had an up and down year.

"I have a few more meetings left. I have had some bad meetings and some good meetings. The good ones make up for the bad. It's racing, it happens to everyone."