IAN Parkington is going to take some catching in this year's North West Formula Ford Championship.

The 40-year-old company director notched up another perfect result in rounds six and seven of the series at Oulton Park.

Parkington, who races a Reynard in the pre-87 class, shut out the opposition with a devastating double hat-trick.

"We couldn't have done much better really, winning the class, qualifying on pole position and getting fastest lap in both races," said a delighted Ian, who is managing director of Ballpark Engineering in the village.

Parkington claimed the maximum 32 points on offer for both 20-minute races to give him a commanding lead in the class, which is open to pre-1987 Formula Ford single-seaters.

He added: "It's put some daylight between me and the second place man Jonathan Rose.

"We now have a 74-point advantage, which is in effect two rounds."

Race one saw Parkington making a rapid start off the line from the third row of the grid.

A missed gear from the driver in front prevented a move into second place, although he resumed his customary place at the front of the field within a couple of laps.

Race two was one of his best of the season, dominating the class to such an extent that second-placed finisher Jonny Wilkinson was 53 seconds adrift by the time the chequered flag came out.

Round eight of the North West Formula Ford Championship is on July 29, back at the Cheshire circuit.

l IAN Parkington is sponsored by Ballpark Engineering, Barrowford, and bakers GH Sheldon of Manchester.