A HEREFORD youngster is on cloud nine after finishing third in a Junior Championship.

Zak Moores, 12, competes in a mini at the Standlake Junior Mini Rod Championships in Oxfordshire and has won a number of trophies.

"Zak is really into motorsport – myself and his dad did autograss and my brother went into the Might Minis Championship, so it's a bit of a family thing," said Zak's mother Becky Moores.

"He was keen to do something in the sport so we decided to do the junior racing at Standlake because you only have to be 10 to drive in it.

"You start with a passenger with you before you are competent enough to go on your own.

"He's been doing really well and was fourth behind Jack Bunyan, who is 15.

"But Zak drove a perfect race to finish third."

The 1/4 mile oval concrete track at Standlake is surrounded by metal Armco and the championship consists of more than 21 rounds.

The championship takes place over 21 rounds from February to November and consists of two heats and a final.

Each race has around 18 drivers competing, aged from 10 to 17.

Red grade drivers, which consist of more experienced people, start half a lap behind the novices, with Zak progressing to red grade standard after starting in the yellow category.

The first and second-placed drivers were both 16 and have had four years more racing experience than Zak and will now enter into the senior class.