KELTY racing star Ronan Pearson is looking to build on an "incredible platform" despite missing out on motorsport title glory.

The EXCEL8 ace recently travelled to Brands Hatch for the final weekend of the Quaife Mini Challenge season, and was one of five drivers who could still, mathematically, win the series outright.

Pearson went into it high in confidence, having snared a pair of top three finishes in the previous event at Silverstone, and was third on the grid for the opening race.

Despite adding to his tally of podiums – placing third, despite jumping into second on the run to turn one – in the first race, that wasn't enough to keep his hopes of claiming the title alive.

However, the talented West Fife youngster then sought to try and add to his win tally, and was well placed to enjoy another top three finish in race two, only for a car misfire in the closing stages saw him drop back to sixth.

That, however, saw him drawn on pole position for the final race and he was well placed at the front, only for things to go awry when the safety car was deployed to recover another car from the gravel.

The issues Pearson had in race two returned and, after the safety car returned to the pits, he found himself as a sitting duck at the front of the field and swamped by the field behind, leaving him with no option but to retire.

However, he ended the year in fourth place in the championship standings, and felt he's had a "great year" as he prepares to reveal plans for 2023 in the near future.

"Working with EXCELR8 has been key to my success this season as I've been able to develop such a good relationship with them, and they keep providing me with a great car," Pearson said.

"That has allowed me to focus on myself and the job I have to do, and it's been reflected in the results.

"I've also got to say a massive thank you to all of my sponsors this season, as I wouldn't have been on track without their support. It's been good to share plenty of silverware with them over the course of the year, and hopefully we have a lot more to come in 2023."

On the final race weekend, Pearson commented: "The weekend started well with the lap in qualifying, which I was really proud of as you have really nail it around the Grand Prix loop. We managed to get third place in the opening race, and I think it says a lot about how my expectations have raised this season that I was disappointed not to take at least second.

"Unfortunately from there on, we had an issue with a misfire, which came at exactly the wrong time when it comes to the championship points as it ultimately cost us a top three finish. I managed to get the car to the finish in race two as the issue was intermittent but in race three, when the safety car came out, we had the same problem and this time it was more persistent.

"I hoped it would clear itself for the restart but sadly it didn’t and I was sitting duck at the front with no option but to park the car.

"It was a tough way to end the season but on the whole, it's been a great year where I’ve been able to build an incredible platform as I look to progress with my career."