FIRE and rain could not deter Mike Conway in his quest to become the first rookie since Antonio Pizzonia to win the British Formula 3 Championship.

In the first race at Scotland's Knockhill circuit the 21-year-old from Sevenoaks scored a creditable third place despite the fact driving rain had drastically reduced visibility.

In the second race there was more drama when Conway's Fortec Motorsport car burst into flames just three laps from the finish with Conway again poised to land a podium place.

The mishap effectively cost Conway the outright lead in the championship but in spite of this he remained philosophical in the post-race interview.

Conway said: "It was a real shame and could cost me dearly in the end, but I had to retire because the engine blew and the car caught fire."

In the next round at Thruxton Conway had more luck but his car let him down, and he could only manage a fourth and a sixth place.

He said: "I didn't quite have the set-up right on the car but at least I finished ahead of series leader Alvaro Parente so was able to claw back some points."