Gary Nicholls (16) wins first stock car race

Competing in a red and blue coloured Astra Mark 3 vehicle at Cowdenbeath Racewall at Sunday's European Championship meeting, Gary (16), of Ashfield Road, led the prostox final from start to finish to delight his family and friends in the crowd.

His proud mum Karen said: "Gary was absolutely delighted to win in front of me, his girlfriend Stephanie, his gran, sister, uncle and grandfather.

"Our throats were sore from shouting him on during the race!

"He was getting lots of hugs from us afterwards.

"Gary has only been racing stock cars for a few weeks, but he has picked it up so quickly that it is unbelievable.

"A new roll cage was put on his car before Saturday's race, which made the car lighter and faster. I think that was a vital factor in Gary's victory."

What makes Gary's success all the more remarkable is the fact that he made an unremarkable start to his Saturday evening.

After coming third in heat one, the youngster's car was damaged when he spun out on the first lap of heat two.

But then came his sensational final triumph, which saw him lead home Patrick Calderwood and Crawford man Grant Weston.

At Cowdenbeath Racewall on Saturday, Carluke driver Ian Forster was eighth in both the Formula II final and the Grand National.