Battling Venter ends on high.

ADOPTED Teessider AJ Venter signed off the season in style with a spectacular performance at Oulton Park.

The Yarm-based South African finished a fighting seventh in the final Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship race of the year.

And that assured the MAP Raceways Yamaha rider of 13th place in the final table.

Venter made some brave passing manoeuvres towards the end of the race and they made the difference between ninth and seventh place.

"I got a good start and made the right tyre choice," he said, "and by the first corner I'd made up two rows of the grid.

"I put my head down and every lap I rode my hardest.

"I went round the outside of Marty Nutt as I needed to prove I wasn't scared!" After an eye-catching first season in Supersports, the 21-year-old plans to return next year and build on his achievements.

Norton's Michael Hill (Taboo Motorsport Honda) had a disappointing end to his season however and his involvement in the Relentless British 125cc Championship race lasted only five laps.

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SMOKIN': AJ Venter salutes the crowd after a fine end to his first season as a Supersport rider Picture by ADRIAN SMITH