EDWARD COOPER, who has finished sixth and fifth in the last two years of the 750 Motor Clubs Classic Stock Hatch Championships, is hoping for a podium finish in 2017.

Cooper, 30, who runs the family-owned village garage in Hankerton near Malmesbury, made a solid start to the new series sponsored by Demon Tweeks and Yokahama Tyres at Donington Park over the weekend, finishing fifth and fourth in the two races out of 24 drivers.

It might have been even better but the race on the Saturday was marred by an accident and was red-flagged when Edward, in his Vauxhall Nova GSi, was in third position.

In the restarted race, despite heavy rain and running wide, he managed fifth place.

On the Sunday, in better weather conditions, he varied between sixth and third in a very exciting race before coming home fourth.

Matt Rozier, the man all the drivers, have to beat as he was the champion in 2015 and 2016, was runner-up in both races at Donington Park.

The next round of the 14-race series takes place at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk on April 23 when there are two races in one day.

The championship concludes at Rockingham in early September.

Edward has been racing for 10 years.