MOTOR RACING: Cooper hot wheels into new autograss term

10:13am Friday 16th May 2008

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AUTOGRASS race ace Phillip Cooper has got the 2008 season off to a brilliant start.

The current British champion in two-litre specials kicked off the new series with overall success at Tenby in south Wales.

After finishing second in his class, Cooper was first over the line in the champion of champions finale, fending off the considerable challenge of more than 500 other drivers.

The victory was particularly pleasing for the 23-year-old engineer from Burtonwood with some of Ireland's top racers taking part.

Cooper, who has held the British title for three years, will be hoping to maintain his form throughout the five-round series that ends in September, with the next event taking place in Hay-on-Wye in Wales next month.

He is also well on the way to qualifying for the end-of-season national finals after gaining three wins in the North Wetsern League qualifier at Broughton, near Chester, on Sunday.

Cooper's father Malcolm and mother Lynn have both won the national finals but the title has eluded their son so far.

Next time out, Cooper will be hoping to win the North of England Championship for the first time at York over the bank holiday weekend later this month.