The duo headed into the weekend with a 16-point lead over their nearest rivals but with a third and a win in Thruxton’s two races, they managed to stretch the advantage to 25 points.

With just 40 points on offer between now and the end of the season - and 20 of those available at Brands Hatch on July 12-13 - Barnes and Gornall only need to maintain their current lead at the Kent circuit to claim the title.

“It’s nice to have a double-header race meeting as a cushion, not that we’re not going to turn up to any races,” Gornall commented after their successful outing.

The pair finished third in the opening race on Saturday but Gornall produced the goods as they took the chequered flag on Sunday Barnes began in eighth but produced a fine drive to hand over to Gornall in second, and the Werrington ace then powered past the Aston Martin of leader Tom Alexander before pulling out a small gap to the finish.

“We’ve been consistent this year, which is what’s doing us good and we’re pulling away because of it,” added Gornall.