A name synonymous with motor racing could be around a lot longer after Henry Surtees, son of Grand Prix legend John, stormed to his first ever win in what was only his second ever PlayStation2 Ginetta Junior race. The teenager from Lingfield hinted at what was to come in the opening round of the ‘Great & British’ Dunlop Festival, held at Snetterton by storming to the top of the grid during the previous day’s qualifying, finishing the session more than a second quicker than his nearest rival.

Surtees then turned his pole position into a race win yet he had to work hard after dropping back to third on the opening lap of the first race. However he forced his way to the front and never looked like surrendering his lead as he guided his Ginetta to the flag.

“It wasn’t the best start but I managed to make my way through and lead early on,” said Henry Surtees. “I could see them in my mirrors battling away behind me, however I pulled away and no-one was close enough to get a tow.”

Chepstow’s James Harrison had a blinding start, roaring from sixth on the grid to lead by the first corner however Surtees fought back and James, after a marathon battle with Jordan Williams, took second

The youngsters wet weather race skills were put then to the test in their second and final race of the day. Robert Gaffney took the lead, as the rain continued to drench Snetterton while race one winner Henry Surtees was an early casualty of the conditions. He spun off after being bumped from behind but managed to rejoin the fray. Jordan Williams and Fergus Walkinshaw from Swerford held second and third spots but Gaffney was away, opening up a sizeable advantage by the halfway stage

Gaffney from Essex, who’d never won before, drove like a pro through the tough and testing conditions, as the rain drove down almost as hard as the effort put in by the teenagers as they negotiated the Snetterton circuit. As the order chopped and changed behind him Gaffney kept his Ginetta pointed in the right direction to take his first chequered flag in his so far brief career.

Yet it could have been so different if he hadn’t shown he has a wise head on young shoulders.

“My windscreen wipers packed up with three laps to,” said Gaffney. “It was tough getting to the line as I knew they were reeling me in but thankfully I managed to keep going.”

The battle for second went down to the wire with Surtees getting the best of Camberley’s Tom sharp as they crossed the line.