Didcot racing champion Ian Pearson came from behind to win round two of the Club Class category of the Formula Renault BARC Championship at Snetterton.apr 29 Having cruised to victory in round one at Silverstone, the defending champion added a second victory but was made to work harder for the win following a difficult start.

The 26-year-old, now in his fifth full season in the low-cost single-seater championship, qualified his Tatuus RC98 Renault in 16th overall, just two places ahead of his nearest rival Mark Terry, from Chatham, Kent.

However, disaster struck for Pearson immediately as Mark Burdett Motorsports Pierre Renom, of London, stalled on the grid directly in front of him. As he took evasive action, both Terry and FR2000 Class driver Michael Vitulli, of Cowley, were able to pass before the first corner.

But Pearson, who won 11 of the 12 races in 2005 on his way to the title, recovered his composure to settle in behind Terry. He was immediately able to challenge for 15th overall but the Kent man made his Tatuus RC98/99 Renault as wide as possible to prevent Pearson from overtaking.

The resistance only lasted for three laps however, as Pearson's greater speed on the back straight saw him pass Terry for the Class lead. He then set about chasing the more modern carbon-fibre FR2000 Class cars and although was unable to make up the ground, he eased away from Terry for a comfortable win. Muzz Races Simon Keast (Billesden, Leics) equalled his best result in Formula Renault BARC with third place.

Pearson said: "It was quite a chaotic start because Pierre stalled directly in front of me so I had to come off the throttle. My main focus was on getting through the congestion and making sure the car was in one piece to continue with the race.

"Once I came through I was then able to reel in Mark and pass him. Then it was just a case of keeping out of trouble and trying to improve my lap times and get a good feel for the car."

Pearson added one bonus point each for claiming pole position and the fastest lap to take 17 points from the race. He now leads the Club Class Standings by 12 points from Terry, with Simon Keast moving up to third. Ians dad, Bob, finished fourth in the race and is one point behind Keast in the standings.