Reynolds did enough to secure the title

The Suzuki rider had gone into Sunday's race needing just eight points to secure Britain's premier title.

He said: "It is a fantastic feeling but also one of relief that it is done and dusted. I'm delighted for the team.

"I had the best bike and the best team - all three of my titles have been good, all hard to achieve and this has been no exception."

Reynolds revealed he had felt under pressure before the race, being so close to glory.

He said: "People were congratulating me as though I had won the title, after my winning double at Oulton Park.

"But there was still a job to be done, and I had to work hard to be focussed on that."

Reynolds qualified fifth, and in the early stages of race one was running fifth.

Up front Ryuichi Kiyonari, the 21-year-old Japanese racer, was dictating terms ahead of Michael Rutter, the only rider who could deny Reynolds the crown.

But by the time a third of the race distance had been covered, Reynolds was third, and on course for the crown.

Kiyonari went on to completed his daily double by winning race two, again ahead of Rutter, who secured the runners- up position in race two as well.

Sean Emmett, in his final race for Ducati, took third place from Scott Smart.

Yukio Kagayama, Reynolds' team-mate, ended the season in third place in the overall standings.

Final Driver Championship Standings:

1 John Reynolds (Gbr) 446pts
2 Michael Rutter (Gbr) 417
3 Yukio Kagayama (Jpn) 335
4 Scott Smart (Gbr) 330
5 Sean Emmett (Gbr) 315
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Jpn) 234
7 Dean Thomas (Aus) 193
8 James Haydon (Gbr) 181
9 Tommy Hill (Gbr) 137
10 Glen Richards (Aus) 125

Race 1 results:

1 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Jpn) Honda 32mins 05.596secs
2 Michael Rutter (Gbr) Honda at 10.981secs
3 John Reynolds (Gbr) Suzuki at 12.559
4 Scott Smart (Gbr) Kawasaki at 15.169
5 Sean Emmett (Gbr) Ducati at 16.223
6 Glen Richards (Aus) Kawasaki at 20.760
7 Dean Thomas (Aus) Ducati at 27.233
8 James Haydon (Gbr) Yamaha at 33.589
9 Gary Mason (Gbr) Yamaha at 39.785
10 Tommy Hill (Gbr) Yamaha at 39.873

Race 2 resuts:

1 Ryuichi Kiyonari (Jpn) Honda 30mins 57.801secs
2 Michael Rutter (Gbr) Honda at 11.862secs
3 Sean Emmett (Gbr) Ducati at 23.062
4 Scott Smart (Gbr) Kawasaki at 24.194
5 Yukio Kagayma (Jpn) Suzuki at 24.521
6 John Reynolds (Gbr) Suzuki at 26.271
7 Dean Thomas (Aus) Ducati at 27.184
8 James Haydon (Gbr) Yamaha at 33.864
9 James Ellison (Gbr) Yamaha at 34.186
10 Steve Plater (Gbr) Yamaha at 37.151