SILSDEN sensation Phoebe Wainman made national stock car history when she became the first female to win a major championship.

The 20-year-old has taken the V8 Hotstox class by storm and, in only her fourth season, she clinched the British title at the Skegness Stadium in Lincolnshire.

Her success means she is the first woman champion in any of the ten adult race classes in Europe since the sport was first introduced here 62 years ago.

And to cap a great weekend for her family, her father Frankie Wainman Jnr also triumphed in the British Championship for the BRISCA Formula One.

Phoebe said: “I like the fact that I am the first female to win a championship! I have had a lot of girls congratulating me and saying that I’m ‘doing it for the girls’ and it’s nice to know that they are pleased for me. But at the same time I think to myself, it doesn’t matter that I’m a girl, I beat everybody out on the track, and that is the biggest achievement for me.”

In the opening qualifying heats at Orby, Phoebe, who was also the first female driver to reach Superstar grade, took a convincing win to guarantee a front-row start in the final.

Competing against 29 men, she delivered a textbook performance, taking the lead from the start. She kept focused and drove an impressive, calculated race over 20 laps, earning great applause from the massive crowd at the chequered flag.

Phoebe, who works as a legal secretary, added: “It is the best feeling in the world when you win a race, but when I won my first championship you can’t compare it to other wins.

"We all put so much effort and time into the car and it’s finally starting to pay off. I think that’s why it meant so much to me, my family and the team."

Phoebe is the latest success story for a family steeped in stock car success.

Her father Frankie Wainman Junior's win was his fourth British Championship triumph in the BRISCA Formula One. Her younger brother Frankie Junior Junior came home a creditable fifth and her uncle, Danny Wainman, was second.

Phoebe will be aiming for more success in the World Championships later in the season.