Burntwood racing driver James Tucker tried something different as he made his stock car racing debut at Northampton International Raceway.

The 21-year old swapped his regular Formula Ford single seater for an 850cc Rebels Racing car in order to gain experience for a possible move onto the short oval raceways for the 2011 season.

Starting his hired car at the back of a big grid of around 25 of the small but spectacular Reliant-powered machines, James predicted he would find the going tough and was soon involved in a back straight tangle as he tried to move up the order in his first heat.

The second heat ran better and again starting at the back he was able to move through to finish a fine 15th, ahead of several experienced Rebels drivers.

This result moved him a little further up the grid for the main event of the day, the Midland Championship, but sadly a broken wheel bearing curtailed his progress early on.

James still enjoyed his first short oval experience hugely and hopes to race on the ovals again soon as he tries to raise the budget needed for another season on the circuits having won the inaugural Revolution Performance Motorsport scholarship over the winter.

He will be back out in another Rebel at Northampton on April 25.