Dubai: Birthday boy Sam Zian ended the SWS RX7 Senior Sprint Series on a high by winning the final two races of the 2014 season at Dubai Kartdrome on Sunday night, while Emirati Atef Al Barwani did enough to end the year top of the championship standings to claim the 2014 title.

Former champion Paul Chatenay qualified on pole with a best time of 1min 10.676sec, with the top six separated by a second, setting the scene for some very close racing on the night.

In race one it was Zian, Chatenay and Barwani who set the early pace, with Zian managing to edge ahead and win by 1.23s, followed by Chatenay in second and Al Barwani third. Porus Noshir was fourth ahead of schoolgirl Abigail Birch.

Zian did the business again in race two, claiming maximum points after a three-way duel with Al Barwani and Birch, who finished second and third respectively — a mere 0.712s separating the trio.

After 15 rounds, the 2014 SWS Sprint Series came to an end with Al Barwani topping the standings with 8,176 points, ahead of Hussain Umid Ali with 8,172 and Zian on 7,571.

Al Barwani said: “First of all a big congratulations to Sam Zian for taking a double win on his 34th birthday. “Secondly, thanks to all my friends and family who came down to support me throughout the year. Nothing would be possible without them.

“I have secured the 2014 UAE SWS Sprint Series title, which is a great feeling. Now roll on 2015 and let’s see what opportunities lie ahead.”

Earlier, Alex Connor secured top spot in the SWS LR4 Junior Sprint Series with a dominant and impressive display of driving, which saw him win both his heats and then take top honours in the final. Other heat winners included Kamal Agha and Samir Malas.

Eleven drivers progressed to the final, where Connor cruised to victory ahead of Oliver Walton, Omar Al Sheybah, Giaccomo Caccia and Luis Velasco.

Alex Connor topped the standings with 7,495 points to take the 2014 championship title, followed by Samir Malas on 7,112 and Oliver Walton on 6,668.

The new 2015 SWS Sprint Series season, for juniors and seniors, will begin at the Kartdrome on January 30.