Simon Mauger secured the 2000 Puma European Rally Championship after winning the latest round at the Roger Clark rallysprint circuit at Silverstone.

The 1999 Ford Ka champion, from Westcott, near Bicester, sealed back-to-back "one make" titles after dominating the Puma championship and put in yet another faultless performance at Silverstone with co-driver Scott Poxon to take the title with one round remaining.

Mauger can now look forward to his prize for winning the Puma championship, which consists of a works, Ford World Championship drive in a 1600 Puma on the San Remo Rally in Italy, as well as free entry to the "race of champions" in Gran Canaria and a test drive in a Ford Focus World Rally Car.

Mauger is also hoping that this result will help secure a works 1600 drive for Ford in either the British or World Championship.

He said: "I am obviously delighted to win the Puma title especially here at Silverstone, so close to my home, as a lot of my friends and relatives had come along to cheer me on and I didn't want to let them down.

"The pressure is off now and we can concentrate on our World Championship drive, and hopefully secure a drive for next year."

Mauger is still in with a chance of at least one more prize before the end of season in the form of the Roger Clark Award, which has been introduced in memory of the late Roger Clark with the aim of encouraging future rally talent.