PHOEBE Wainman has made history as the first female driver to win a national championship, capping off a successful weekend of action for her racing family.

The 22-year-old, from Silsden, was crowned the winner of this year's BriSCA F1 One-Car Series Championship after sealing points in her penultimate race of the season at the Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester. She also became the first woman driver to win a championship in the class in the sport's 65-year history.

Her victory, achieved in her first year in the championship, capped off a fine weekend for her family at the Manchester meeting. Her father, Frankie Jr, won a record 14th National Points Championship, 10 years after his last title victory, a victory which saw him further take his place as one of stock car racing's greats. His son, Frankie Jr Jr, 19, finished seventh and Frankie's brother, Danny, was second.

She will end her season at the gala night in Birmingham this Saturday, before she gears up for her 2019 season, which will get under way in March.

Phoebe, who works full-time as a legal secretary, started out in mini stock car racing aged 14 and has progressed up the racing ladder. She said she is already focused and revved up for next season's competition.

She also takes over from her boyfriend, fellow stock car driver Karl Hawkins, who won the championship last year, but finished 13th overall in the season points and sealed the boss track championship.

Phoebe said: "It feels amazing. I don't think it has really sunk in. I was always going for it this year, but I doubt myself too much. I had been trying all year for it.

"Going into Sunday's meeting, I needed to secure five points. I was really nervous going into it but got 10 points. I glad I did it in my first run. I could relax for the rest of the meeting.

"Every single meeting I have been working my way up the points.

"Last year my boyfriend won the same championship.

"I don't know what's next. I would like to move to the red grade next. I would also like to win a couple of races next year. I didn't win any this year, but I had some really good places.

"It's as busy when it's the off-season, rebuilding the cars.

"I have one more race this weekend.

"I have amazing sponsors, but I can't afford to have separate cars to compete on the shale and tarmac races surfaces. I have the same car for both."

This year's events have seen the Wainman family compete on tracks across the country including Buxton, King's Lynn and Skegness.

She said although she is pleased to make history, she wants to be treated just like any other driver, both on the tracks, or in the pits, despite it still being a male-dominated sport.

She added: "I look at myself as any other driver out there. I don't see myself different because I am a woman. I don't want people to feel any different. There is only one other woman who does this.

"I hope little girls look up to me. I hope they can. I had a mother come up to me and said that I inspired their daughter."

Frankie Jr, 47, said he was proud of his daughter's debut title success, but also beamed about his son's achievements behind the wheel.

Wainman Jnr Jr made his debut in BriSCA F1 at the end of 2015 when he had turned 16.

Frankie Jr said: "She worked hard all season.

"It is a tough, hard sport. There are a lot of big hitters. I am her dad, so I was worried about her getting hurt.

"She was smiling when she came into the pits.

"It was quite a massive day for me and it was quite emotional. I have won a number of championships, but with my kids it's different. I am proud of both of my kids. I am really chuffed."