Another Andretti takes a Skip Barber title.

There were a total of 19 Andretti family members at the Skip Barber Eastern Region awards banquet on Saturday night, as 16-year old Marco Andretti celebrated his victory in the 14-race two-litre series.

Andretti Jr, the son of Indy Racing League team owner Michael, clinched the title in the season finale at Lime Rock Park, after taking a flag-to-flag win over his two closest title contenders. The rookie's victory in the first of two championship-deciding races gave him enough points to secure the title before race two.

It might have been just as well, as Andretti crashed in the rain in the second race, but, by then, it was too late for Peter Ludwig and Tom Sands - who finished second and third in the championship - to do anyhting about it.

Andretti won eight times in 14 starts, and finished on the podium five other times to finish with 239 points. Third year man Ludwig - this year's 'Most Improved Driver' - scored six wins and 215 points, while Sands (same honour in 2002) scored three wins and 201 points.

"This was fantastic, a really great season. The instructors taught me so much, I really couldn't have done any of this without them," the youngster said, somewhat uncomfortable under the spotlight during the awards banquet Saturday evening as he learns what it feels like to be a rising star.

Since the season-opener at Lime Rock Park in late April, either Dad Michael or Grandpa Mario made it to many of the race weekends, and Michael said: "I am extremely proud of the job Marco did in the very competitive Skip Barber Series. The experience Marco is getting is invaluable, and at the age of 16, he is already two years ahead of where I was at his age!"

Mom Sandra was at the banquet with a huge smile and thanked "everybody at Skip Barber for helping make this happen."

A multiple regional karting champion, Marco is formally climbing the CART-Champ Car Ladder System, having starred in the Stars of Tomorrow karting series last year and this. Jeff Andretti - Michael's brother, and the Eastern Region champion exactly 20 years ago - has been Marco's primary chaperone and advisor this year and told the Skip Barber Race Series organisers that: "Marco is definitely entering the Formula Dodge National Championship (FDNC) Presented by RACER" in 2004, adding that Marco's Eastern Region Skip Barber title "is a huge deal."

In a one-off to prepare for next year, Marco will compete in the 2003 FDNC season finale this weekend [October 10-12] at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.