Haverhill racer Abbie McGuinness celebrates being crowned British Rallycross Championship BMW Mini series champion

Haverhill’s Abbie McGuinness believes that her success out on the track earlier this month had been a ‘long time coming’.

The former Castle Manor Academy pupil had gone close to winning the top prize in recent years, with a third placed finish followed by a pair of runner-up performances.

However, this time around the 21-year-old was not to be denied.

Racing in the British Rallycross Championship BMW Mini series, McGuinness headed into the final round of action at Lydden Hill tied at the top of the driver standings.

And across the weekend she produced the goods to be crowned champion.

McGuinness, who works closely with her father Brian, said: “I went into the weekend with a joint points lead but there was still a part of me that never expected it to actually happen.

“I still would have been happy to finish second, but obviously there’s nothing like winning.

“It’s been a long time coming and it proves just what you can do on a budget. My dad and I have always worked together and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

It proved to be a relatively comfortable route to the trophy for McGuinness, who crossed the line in second in the final race when a fourth place finish would have been sufficient.

Nevertheless, that did not stop the ex-West Suffolk College student feeling nerves from behind the wheel.

“Those were the longest six laps of my life,” said McGuinness, who is planning to defend her title next year. “I’ve been let down by the car before so every little noise was making me think, what’s that?

“I could see the car in first but I decided to drive separately and make sure I got the car back safely.”