The Bicester-based Arrowstar team continued their winning ways at Croft, in North Yorkshire, team driver John Gaw claiming victory in the third round of the Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge.

Gaw, 32, guided his Carlube-backed machine to the chequered flag a bare second ahead of his nearest challenger, Surrey's Dillon Battistini, to claim his maiden win in Caterham's top UK championship after tasting many successes at lower levels.

It was a six-way battle for the lead for most of the race, Gaw and Battistini taking turns in front as four others snapped at their heels.

Londoner Philip Gladman edged in front on lap 19 and stayed there until two laps from home, when Gaw managed to slice past, under-braking into Tower Bend. Gladman and Battistini then set about disputing second, and Gaw was able to charge on to victory.

"I didn't expect to win a race until much later in the year," said a delighted Gaw. "I'm still learning the car and I have a long way to go yet, so it's great to do well this early on."

Gaw was voted Minister Driver of the Day for his performance. He was less fortunate in race two at Croft, after he was forced to start from the back of the grid after problems in qualifying, and took sixth in the race to move joint second in the championship.

Arrowstar's other drivers enjoyed mixed fortunes. Jason Dance was placed fifth and 11th in respective races, while Darren Ashley spun out of race one, but recovered to second next time around.