2016 Winner - Todd McCarthy (NSW)

TALENTED reinsman Todd McCarthy is officially the Southern Hemisphere’s top young driver.

Representing New South Wales, McCarthy claimed the title with a victory in the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship, which concluded at Gloucester Park tonight.

Heading into the final heat of the nine-race series tied on 69 points with defending champion Robbie Close from New Zealand, McCarthy finished seventh behind Bronze Seeker, while Close was ninth with Mighty Flying Thomas.

As such, McCarthy accumulated 73 points to Close’s 71.

Another New Zealander, Matt Anderson, tied with Close on 71, but was lowered to third on countback based on the most wins in a tournament. Close won two heats to Anderson’s one.

Having had no luck for most of the series, local hope Stuart McDonald finished on a high by taking out the heat with King Lebron.

“I’m rapt…what an awesome feeling,” McCarthy said. “To win a series like this against so many great drivers is fantastic and is something I will never forget.

“Going into the final round driving an underdog I didn’t have any pressure and was lucky enough to just get enough points to come away with the overall win.”

McCarthy’s triumph makes him just the third representative of his state to annex the Championship, beginning with Peter Morris in the inaugural edition in 1974 and followed by Trevor Munday in 2004.

“I was very honoured to be asked to wear the New South Wales colours and proud that I was able to bring the win home for the state,” McCarthy said. “It’s been a wonderful series and I’ve made some good friends on plan on staying in touch with.

“On behalf of all the drivers, I have to thank all the trainers and owners who raced their horses in the series…we all appreciated it and had a lot of fun with their help.”