A promising Haddington racer has benefited from sponsorship from a leading car retailer after he claimed victory in the Scottish Mini Cooper Cup.

Kenneth Thirlwall, from Haddington, has been sponsored by Peter Vardy after he joined their Edinburgh BMW/Mini dealership in the summer, and the investment has already reaped rewards for the 24-year-old.

Thirlwall had already won the Mini Cooper R50 series, but took the chequered flag at the final race of the season at Knockhill earlier this month.

He has been firing on all cylinders in his fourth season on the circuit, with his racing not only earning a succession of podium finishes but also increased attention. Thirlwall spends most of his racing time at Knockhill, Scotland’s national motorsport centre at Dunfermline, though he made one successful trip to Oulton Park in Cheshire.

He said: “I went down for the Mini Festival and won both races. It was a terrific experience and will stand me in good stead as I train and prepare for competing in the British Championships next season.” “I am very grateful to Peter Vardy for helping me on the hard road to victory. It is a fast and taxing sport and it is particularly encouraging to know that people have faith in you and your will to win.” And the 24-year-old thanked his sponsors Peter Vardy, Edinburgh College, Arthur Fulton Containers, Location Travel Tranent, Compass Installations and Mintech Spares.

After adding this year’s title to his successes in 2009 and 2013, the Haddington racer is hoping for continued support as he goes for the British Championship.

Johnny Kildare, franchise director at Peter Vardy Edinburgh, said: “Kenneth is a very talented individual who clearly has a successful racing career ahead of him and we are very pleased to be able to give him a helping hand along the way.”