SILSDEN Formula 600 rider, Matt Horne, finished the 2003 championship in fine style at Snetterton.

He led the championship from the first round, but bike trouble and a big crash in the penultimate round at Mallory Park saw a comfortable lead of 25 points reduced to five points.

With 40 points on the table at Snetterton it was always going to be a uphill battle on the circuit which is Matt's least favourite.

His closest rival was also on a newer, and faster, machine.

"After riding all season to protect a championship lead all I could do was go out and win. To be fair it lifted a lot of the pressure and it was easier to focus on the job I had to do," Matt said after the meeting.

He won both races on the Saturday of the meeting with the second placed man right behind him in each race.

He still had to win on Sunday, but made an inspired tyre choice which saw him take an emphatic win on the first race which meant he could cruise round in the last race of the season.

"Now I've bought a 1000cc bike for next season and hope to ride a few rounds in the national championship to raise my profile in the sport," Matt said.