ONLY a sequence of twists and turns to rival a Grand Prix racing circuit can prevent Danny Buxton winning the Renaultsport Clio Cup next Saturday.

In the final round at Brands Hatch, Buxton only needs to finish in the top eight to secure first place - and even if he fails to finish, the only racer that can catch him needs a miracle.

Tim Mullen must hope the Cuddington man finishes outside the top eight, then finish first himself and record the race's fastest lap.

Buxton put himself in this almost unbeatable position with third place in the latest round at Donington on Sunday - but if he'd gone one better the title would already be his by now.

"I'm pretty gutted, but it's still looking very, very good. Bring on Brands Hatch," said Buxton.

"I could have done with someone on my team putting a sign on the course telling me I needed to finish second to win the championship on Sunday, but the points were changing all the time. Nobody realised this until after the race.

"I saw another of my rivals Martin Byford on the gravel, so that gave me all the reason I needed to pay it safe for third place, and I saw Tim behind me in the mirror in fifth.

After starting third, Buxton soared to second on the first lap, but when he was overtaken and dropped back into third on the next lap, he declined to risk any more manoeuvres which could end his race.

A similar safety-first policy is needed next week because if Buxton does stay on the track and finish, he's unlikely to be out of the points.

"Whenever I've finished in the past it's been first, second, third or fourth so I'd like to think I can do that again. I can't wait.

"But even if I don't finish, Mullen still has to win and get the fastest lap, so it's unlikely. The pressure is all on him not me.

"It's what I've strived for for a couple of years and it's now within my grasp, so I need the two weeks to hurry up."

Buxton, who is sponsored by Symantec Computers, will win an £18,000 Renault Clio 172 road car if he takes the title, as well as a mystery prize.