FELSTED racing driver Michael Lyons rounded off a highly successful 2008 in fine style at the Historic Sports Car Club awards evening on Saturday. The 17-year-old received a total of five trophies in recognition of a phenomenal year. Held at Whittlebury H

FELSTED racing driver Michael Lyons rounded off a highly successful 2008 in fine style at the Historic Sports Car Club awards evening on Saturday.

The 17-year-old received a total of five trophies in recognition of a phenomenal year.

Held at Whittlebury Hall near Silverstone in Northamptonshire, the ceremony - which saw former Grand Prix driver Tony Brooks appear as guest of honour - brought the curtain down on a stunning season of historic race action for teenager Michael.

Not only did he win the Historic Formula Ford Championship at the wheel of a 1971 Merlyn Mk11A last month during Finals Weekend at Silverstone's National Circuit, he was victorious in two classes of the Classic Racing Cars Championship in two separate machines - a Merlyn Mk10 F2 and the aforementioned Mk11A.

In addition, Michael won the F5000 Class in the prestigious Derek Bell Trophy and he was also awarded a Marque accolade on Saturday night having been acknowledged as the driver who produced the best performance all year at the wheel of a Merlyn.

Speaking at the HSCC awards evening, Michael said: "It's been an outstanding year and I'm obviously delighted to receive five awards.

"Winning the Formula Ford title was the big highlight for me, but there were so many other high-points over the course of the year."

He added: "The HSCC organises fantastic events and I want to thank everyone involved with the club for a tremendous season's racing. I also want to take this opportunity to thank my mum and dad as, without their help, support and guidance I wouldn't be celebrating such a successful year.

"Huge thanks to my engineer Ritchie Box too for doing such a fantastic job with all of my cars."

Racing for just two years, Michael has achieved great things in the championships of the HSCC and made headlines in 2007 when he became the youngest ever driver to pilot a Formula One car when racing a Surtees TS9B at the Nurburging in Germany.