NOTHING was going to stop Carl Boardley. The Ipswich driver was crowned national hot rod champion at the weekend – after completing more than a quarter of the race with dodgy brakes.

NOTHING was going to stop Carl Boardley.

The Ipswich driver was crowned national hot rod champion at the weekend – after completing more than a quarter of the race with dodgy brakes.

A delighted – and relieved – Carl, 25, said: "I had virtually no brakes for the last 20 laps. I think all the fluid boiled itself up.

"I was pressing the pedal and it just went straight to the floor. I managed to pump it two or three times on the straights and there was just enough to slow me down and keep me tidy on the corners.

"The driver in second place didn't manage to gain on me and I was reasonably comfortable in the end.

"But with every lap I was thinking 'Are they going to fail completely this time?' It might have resulted in a nasty accident and the car would have been very seriously damaged."

Carl, of Dales View Road, kept his nerve to win his most important crown so far – and was quick to praise his race crew.

His father, Richard, and younger brothers, Stuart and Scott, are joined by Steve Markwell and Dave Austin to make up the winning team.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped me, especially my race crew," said Carl. "I wouldn't be able to do it without them."

His success came just four weeks after the major disappointment of finishing fifth in the world championships at Foxhall Stadium, when he had high hopes of being the first-ever local winner.

He said: "I was fifth but I still don't know how I managed to finish the race. The car was moving all over the place. I knew something was wrong as I got slower and slower.

"The problem was a puncture and at one stage I was going to pull out. But there was quite a gap between me and the next car, so I carried on to the end.

"It was very disappointing. I'd got up to second place and I was confident about winning, but now I'm telling myself that I will do it next time."

Carl was one of 34 drivers, including some from Germany, Holland and Ireland, who took part in the 75-lap national event at Hednesford, near Birmingham, at the weekend.

He said: "We had four heats on Saturday to determine where I started on the grid. Not only was I in pole position, I also led from the start – but it certainly wasn't easy.

"There was quite a bit of pressure for the first 25 laps or so, but we had set the car up to make sure it got better as the race went on.

"It worked, but I think the guy behind me did his the other way round. After 45 laps he faded and I got stronger. It was a great feeling to win.

"I'm still relatively new to the sport. There are a lot of drivers who have been around for 10 to 15 years and are still waiting for their first success, so we're very proud of what we have achieved so far."