HALESOWEN race ace Brad Hughes overcame several obstacles to finish 12th in the British Motostar Championship at Knockhill.

The 15-year-old made the trip up north without his mechanic to one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.

Gary Rimmer and Stuart Palmer helped out in the paddock as Hughes made adjustment to the ride and saddle height.

The changes seemed to work as he posted the sixth fastest time in the first qualifying session, held in wet conditions.

But the track was dry for final qualifying as Hughes dropped down to ninth, though he was still only 0.4 seconds off pole position.

In Sunday’s race, Hughes made a poor start and after falling to 10th on the opening lap, he was pushed back to 15th by the midway point of the 22 lap race.

But the race was brought to a premature end when three of the front runners crashed heavily at the hairpin.

The result was declared at 17 laps distance and Bradley awarded 12th place in the main championship and seventh in the Motostar Cup.

Hughes is now 13th in the main championship on 28 points and eighth in the Cup with 43 points.

The next round is at Oulton Park in Cheshire when the championship returns for its second visit of the year on July 8.