HARLEY Rushton was named rider of the weekend in round two of the National Classic Racing Championship after battling through the storms at a weather-beaten Cadwell Park.

The 20-year-old from Ingleton now leads the 350cc Championship after winning four out of four races around the Lincolnshire circuit.

But it was not just his rivals who Rushton had to contend with as he admitted they were the worse racing conditions he had ever faced - including a hail storm while riding at 90mph.

Over the three day event, Rushton raced to victory in the drizzle in his first race on Saturday then took the chequered flag on his second the following day - but only after the race was re-started twice after two crashes.

His third win proved to be the most demanding. The race beginning in dry conditions before the heavens opened eventually leading to hail storm.

"On the first lap I put a good pace in to get a gap over my rivals, then coming onto lap three I was going along the back straight and saw a fork of lightning just ahead of me just before the heavens opened and it started hail stoning," said Rushton.

"The track just went white, I have never tried racing in hail before.

"On the previous lap the light rain had dampened then track but it was now fully wet.

"Getting hit by hail stones at 90mph was like been hit by a pellet. I had to judge how wet it was and how much I was able to push as the track conditions were deteriorating.

"By the end of the race I was soaked to the skin but over the moon with a win."

Rushton completed a clean sweep of wins in the Bank Holiday sunshine on the Monday.

He also competed in the 500cc Championship, finishing fifth place on the opening day and following up with a seventh place in ACU 500 National race and eighth in the club race.

And on the Monday, on his 500 Norton, Harley raced three times and and picked up a fifth and sixth place while he was also 10th in the Colin Breeze Memorial Race.

"The weekend was great with some really enjoyable races and some very interesting conditions," said Rushton.

"I'm pleased to come away with some good points and solid finishes all weekend. The bikes were working great and would like to thank Craven Concrete racing for giving me some excellently prepared bikes. The support and compliments I have had this weekend has been great."

Rushton will be back in action at the next round of the National Classic Racing Championship on Anglesey on June 6-7.