Rising British star Graeme Gowland got a top-six in the Spanish Formula Extreme Championship race at Jerez this weekend in what was only his second race in the series for the Joe Darcey Racing Team.

Gowland showed his speed in the qualifying sessions to qualify just off the front row of the grid in fifth. The first session saw the former Spanish Supersport Champion provisionally qualify in tenth without the use of a qualifying tyre but he improved his time by half a second in the final qualifying session with the third best time of that session after holding the top spot for the majority of the session.

The final race of the year was held under intense sun and Gowla got the Joe Darcey Honda Fireblade off the grid well to battle within the leading pack to see him lie in sixth after one hectic lap.

Gowland dropped back to eighth after a hard overtake by Enrique Rocamora nearly sent him into the gravel but he fought back and by half distance was up to 5th position. World Supersport regular David Salom riding for the Championship winning team relegated Gowland to sixth before the chequered flag.

The Championship was won by Carmelo Morales and despite only competing in two rounds of the Championship Graeme finished a very creditable 14th overall in the standings, after two superb top ten finishes.

“That was a really good race and I am really happy with getting a top 6 finish against the calibre of riders who are in the class. After Salom passed me I stuck with him but unfortunately he had preserved his tyre for the end of the race," said Gowland.

“A massive thank you to all the Joe Darcey team for all their hard work in the last two races, it has given me the chance to finish the season on a high after a really tough season in the World Supersport Championship. I can’t thank Gerard enough for sticking by me this season.

“Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me this year. I am still unsure what I will be doing next year but hopefully I will finalise this over the next few weeks.”