Josh Files is just one step away from completing a dream debut season in the AirAisa Renault Clio Cup as the final two races of the season take place this weekend at Brands Hatch.

Having taken his first podium place at his home track of Snetterton where he was awarded Best Driver of the Event, with a fine third place, the Poringland racer followed it up with a second podium visit in the latest rounds of the series held at Rockingham Speedway.

Qualifying was held in tricky conditions with the track starting off dry before a brief rain shower and then drying before the end.

Files set an early time to secure third place but towards the end of the session his time was under threat so he took to the track once more and on the final lap claimed a front row starting slot alongside team-mate Jack Goff.

'I knew time was nearly up so I made a last lap effort but caught Mark Proctor at one of the fastest points. I kept it flat out and he kindly moved out of the way,' explained Files.

'I was over the moon to say the least and my second best time put me fourth for race two, a great effort.'

It nearly went wrong for Files at the start of race one as he quickly found himself relegated back to fourth place but he fought back by taking the outside line around Deane and grabbed back his second place as the field negotiated Yentwood corner.

'The start that I made off the line was quite good but James Colburn made a better one,' said Files. 'I was fourth going into the hairpin but managed to pull back the positions as I went round the hairpin for the first time.'

Files then chased after leader Goff and the pair pulled away from the field only to have their advantage nullified by a safety car.

When racing resumed, the team-mates edged away from the opposition, trading fastest laps in the process which finally went to Files along with the two extra championship points.

'Throughout the race Goff and I were swapping fastest laps as we continued to pull away, but it was me who eventually got it and we crossed the line for a Team Pyro 1,2,3, as Aron Smith had taken third place. A great result for the team and P2 for me – I was ecstatic.'

Sunday's race proved to be a disappointment after the euphoria of the previous day and from fourth on the grid Files again tried his demon move at the first corner but this time it went wrong.

'I tried to commit around the outside again, and I thought it nearly worked, however contact from overly hard charging cars snapped my steering and it was game over straight away,' said Files.

'It was a real shame to end such a good weekend on a low.'