A FORMER Okehampton College student is celebrating after his best-ever result in the competitive world of saloon car racing.
Robert West, 21, races for Max Jazz Racing, a team owned by pop star Max Fraser of Faithless.
Robert took to the podium for the first time at Brands Hatch, with a second and third position in the Ford Credit Fiesta Zetec Championship — results which placed him second overall in the race series.
After his first race had to be re-started due to a major accident, he battled his way to a third place starting position in the second race of the weekend.
'The conditions were horrendous,' said Robert. 'The car was aqua-planing everywhere, though I always felt I was in control.
'There was a gaggle of four cars and we were fighting all race for position — it was fantastic. On the last lap I was in third, and I managed to make it up to second to finish.'
His performance has already attracted the attention of Oakley Sunglasses, who have offered him sponsorship for next year.
Robert, who lives in Okehampton and works at Okehampton Cycles, travels all over the country racing during the summer season
He hopes eventually to turn professional.