Epping racer Ayrton Simmons endured a tough weekend at Croft in rounds 13, 14 and 15 of the British F4 Championship.

Simmons qualified in seventh place for race one and he pulled off a brave manoeuvre around the outside of Harry Webb at Tower bend, securing him a sixth-place finish, meaning he would start in pole position for round 14 alongside TRS Arden teammate Alex Quinn.

However, race two would be brought to an abrupt end for Simmons.

He had a tough start and was leapfrogged by Quinn, and soon found himself falling back into the chasing pack.

Things went from bad to worse as after the race was re-started following the safety car and contact with championship leader Jamie Caroline forced Simmons to retire.

The 16-year-old would have far better fortunes in race three and after making a superb start, he pulled off an outstanding overtake on Oliver York with a late lunge at Tower bend, allowing him to secure a seventh-place finish.

Speaking about the terrific manoeuvre he pulled off on York, Simmons said: “I pulled off a brilliant move on York. Luckily I made it stick. My left leg hurts a bit from hitting the brake pedal too hard though!”

The results leave Simmons in eighth place in the championship standings and hoping for an improved showing during the second half of the season.

“The second half of the season should be better for us. It feels like it’s going to be the same as last year, where the first half was fairly steady and then things really began to take off. ”