Thornley finishes second in AYDC

Kiwi hope Sam Thornley has finished second at the Australasian Young Drivers' Championship across the Tasman.

The Canterbury-based Thornley led from the opening night of the championships with two wins from two drives and went into the final race at Melton last night with a five point lead.

But in the final race of the series closest challenger Tayla French from Victoria won with outsider Major Watson, paying $77.30.

With Thornley finishing third on Morrison Dream, French clinched the championship by three points, 72 to 69.

The championships was run over nine heats at four meetings in Victoria, culminating in the final heat as part of Inter Dominion Grand Final night.

The other Kiwi drivers in the competition were 2019 champion Sarah O'Reilly and Crystal Hackett who finished fifth and sixth.