TEENAGE star TJ Toms took fifth place in the first of the two HEL Performance Motostar British Championship races at Cadwell Park last weekend.

However he crashed out of race two and means that, with four rounds left, the 15-year-old racer from Purition is third in the championship.

It was a difficult start to the weekend for Toms, as he fell four laps into the free practice session after clipping the curb, but responded in Q1 and Q2 to secure himself a spot on the front row in the first race.

In the first 10-lap race, the Wilson Racing Moto3 rider had a great start, moving into third place on the first lap before a small error ultimately cost him two places.

Then in the second race – which was 12 laps – Toms again began well and, at a third race distance, was third – with just three tenths splitting the front three.

However a near-coming together with a back marker on lap five cost him valuable time, before sliding out of the race soon after as he pushed to close the gap once again.

“Race one was good," said Toms.

"I had plenty of pace and, apart from a small mistake I made and I could have been on the podium.

"I knew we had the pace so for race two so I was feeling really confident.

"But, having closed the gap to the leaders I lost the front and crashed; it was really frustrating."