He is called Lewis and he is a champion car driver – but the surname is Gough and the event is Scalextric not Formula 1.

The 14-year-old Wolverhampton schoolboy has just lifted the national junior under-16 slot car racing title. Last night he showed off the trophy to members of the Wolverhampton Scalextric and Slot Car Club at their base in the grounds of Aldersley Stadium.

Malcolm Scotto, chairman and co-ordinator of the 60-member organisation that has been meeting three times a week since 1960, said: “This is a proud moment for us because he is only the second person from this club to hold the title. He has real talent.”

Lewis fell in love with slot racing three years ago.

The teenager, from Goodyear Avenue in Low Hill, is a pupil at Northicote School in Bushbury. He said: “I was immediately hooked and quickly discovered it was something I was good at.”

Slot car racing relies on changes of gear ratios, tyres and driving skill just like Formula 1. A car retails at around £60 while the control box adds £175 to the bill.

Lewis won five out of the six rounds stage at different tracks throughout the country to lift the crown.

Fittingly the final event in the tournament took place at his home course in Wolverhampton.

The next challenge for Lewis is to win again next year without losing a race.