BANBURY driver Mike Meadows scored a deserved national class victory in the first of a brace of British F3 races at Donington Park on Sunday - and followed up with a second place in race two, despite suffering front wing damage.

It was a change of fortunes for Meadows whose last outing at Oulton Park ended with a badly damaged car.

In Sunday's first race, Meadows started in the lead of the national class field, having set the fastest time in qualifying.

He made a strong start and nearest championship rival Sergio Perez was never able to challenge as Meadows drove to his first class win of the season - in only his third British F3 race, claiming the fastest lap on his way to victory.

The second race started with Meadows in second place behind Perez, but lost part of his front wing in a first-lap melee.

He said: "We're finally starting to show our potential. I was challenging Sergio in the second race, but my front wing problem cost me any chance of taking him."

Meadows' potential has been recognised, being selected for the BRDC Rising Stars scheme as well as a place on the new MSA British Race Elite programme.

The young racer graduated to the British F3 Series this year, following a successful 2006 in the UK Formula BMW championship.