HARLEY Rushton has extended his lead at the top of the 350cc class in the National Classic Racing Championship despite a torrid weekend at Brands Hatch.

The 20-year-old from Ingleton won his last race of the weekend having struggled in the 350cc and 500cc class over the two day event at the iconic venue.

But Rushton was happy to finish on a high and took positives out of what was one of his toughest race weeekends of the season to date.

"The race win right at the end of the weekend was a positive we can take away with us to the next race," said Rushton. "I feel as if I need to get more track time on the bike and get to grips with them, how hard I can push them and hopefully get a little more speed.

"At the moment everything is running perfectly, I just need to get my act together.

"Even so I really enjoyed it down at Brands Hatch, it's a great circuit to ride and I enjoyed racing around it. Onwards now to the next race meeting at Donington Park for the Classic Festival on August 8-9."

Rushton finished in 10th place in his first race in the 500cc class having to start from the back of the grind following an oil leak.

The first 350cc Twins race was just as disastrous when a wire broke on the warm up lap causing the bike to cut off completely and come to a stop.

The second races of the day on both bikes were better after finishing fifth in the 500 race and then second in 350cc race having started on the back of the grid following his breakdown in the previous race.

On Sunday, Rushton opted to pull in during the first 500cc race of the day due to torrential rain then finished third in a shortened 350cc race that was reduced to four laps.

He picked up another fifth place in the 500cc club race and was seventh on his 500cc in the Classic King of Brands race.

However it all came good in the last race of the day when Rushton got a good start and got away well and took the lead going down into turn three and led for the rest of the race to extend his lead in the 350cc twins championship.