The Under 25s Championship 2010 was the first race of the night at Birmingham’s Shoot Out round and saw twenty-two young guns take to the track including the overseas visitors of Adam Joblin NZ62 and Scott Joblin NZ52, with Stuart Smith (397) and Steve Dodds (115) making up the front row. At the green, Stuart Smith (397) shot off into the lead, leaving the rest of the whites to sort themselves out with Richard Bryan (238) making it into second, followed by yellow grader Mike Kingston jnr (488).

Under 25s Steve Dodds 115, Liam Brown 990 and Richard Bryan 238. Photo Paul Tully

Behind them, the reds came enmasse round the bend with Dan Johnson (4) sending Lee Robinson (107) sliding wide round the turn. Very quicky the yellow flags were shown, for Liam Brown (90) and Steve Dodds (115) who had become hooked up together while Ryan Harrison (197) and Steve Malkin jnr (308) had tangled together on the pit bend. Restart order: 397, 488, 238, 217, 37, 51, 191, 84, 4, 16, 107, 12, 464, NZ52, 103…..

Under 25s Richard Bryan 238 comes to grief with Chris Cowley 37 and Lee Fairhust 217. Photo Colin Casserley

At the green, as they raced off, Richard Bryan went sideways on turn two, holding up a determined Chris Cowley (37) and Lee Fairhurst who was unlucky enough to pile in behind. Mike Kingston jnr (488) took the lead from Smith, while not far back, a swift Tom Harris (84) had motored through the field with purpose, followed closely by Matt Newson (16) and Dan Johnson (4). Tom Harris cleanly moved second place Stuart Smith aside and Dan Johnson stuck the bumper into Matt Newson. Harris slickly moved past leader Kingston jnr and by the half way point was breaking into back markers with Dan Fox (480) soon going a lap down, having dropped down the order following an early spin out to the infield.

Under 25s winner Tom Harris 84 passing Mike Kingston jnr 488 for the lead. Photo Paul Tully

Harris maintained his clear lead, putting distance between himself and rest of the field, going on to take the chequered and a big chunk of prize money unchallenged. In celebration, Harris smoked his tyres coming up to the line.

Under 25s Championship winner 2010 Tom Harris 84 smokes his tyres. Photo Paul Tully

Lee Robinson, had continued taking a wide line into the bends and tustled with Luke Davidson (464) for several laps. Chris Cowley (37) clearly meaning business, soon got involved, punting Robinson wide on turns three and four with Robinson returning the favour on the last bend sending both cars scuttling round the armco, with Cowley keeping just ahead.
84 – 16 – 4 – 488 – 212 – 464 – 37 – 107 – 397 – 217

Under 25s Chris Cowley 37, Lee Robinson 107 and Luke Davidson 464. Photo Paul Tully

Ailsa Haigh