MICHELLE Nixon made a winning comeback at the season finale of the MINI Challenge with a race victory and two second place finishes.

The 28-year-old was able to step into a race seat again after securing sponsorship from The Green Group, having had nearly three years away.

Nixon, who tested briefly, said she found the new Snetterton 300 layout tricky at first but, after a few set up tweaks, found the circuit challenging but exciting. Qualifying fourth, Nixon made a great start from the grid during the opening race and, after a retirement from Dean Raymond, she took the lead, drawing out an impressive gap from championship winner Ant Whorton-Eales.

Races two and three were action-packed, having had great battles with ex-karter Daniel Bishop and Patrick Mortimer.

Nixon came away with a race win and two second places from three races after a long absence from competition.

The Little Malvern-based driver said: “The weekend was absolutely amazing, I cannot believe the results I managed to achieve, and I’ve proved I can still do it.

“It was great having a team mate in Sam Osbourne too, we were able to share ideas and lines which was really helpful.

“I just want to go and do it all again next season.”

Hanley Castle High School teacher Nixon is desperate to come back to complete a full season next year and is hoping that these latest results will help her to gain the sponsorship she requires.

Nixon began racing in 2005 when she entered the initial stages of the Formula Woman competition. She automatically secured her place in the 2006 championship after qualifying on pole and winning her first ever race in a Caterham at Pembrey.

She has had many race wins and podiums, finishing third overall.

Nixon then moved on to race a MINI Cooper in the Challenge both in the 2007 and 2008 championships, but gave up racing the following year due to lack of funds.