COLCHESTER'S Louie Westover has made a winning start to this year's Super One British Karting Championship.

He leads the championship by seven points after the first round, following a fine performance in the opening round at a very wet and windy Rowrah.

A total of 52 junior drivers lined up to battle it out but after looking strong in testing, qualifying did not go to plan for Westover.

He was sixth in the group and 11th overall, meaning he started both heats in sixth position and on the outside row.

A second and a third in the heats gave him a P4 start for the first final.

But as the weather worsened on Sunday morning, there was some doubt if the meeting would even proceed.

Fortunately, the rain held off and by midday, the competitors were out on track.

Having nailed their set-up in the O Plate meeting the week before, Westover looked comfortable from the first lap and eased out a three-second lead.

It gave him pole for the main final which he led from lights to flag, extending his lead to nearly five seconds by the end and taking the fastest lap on the way.

Westover will return to Rowrah for the next round with confidence very high, following his excellent start.