Things are heating up ahead of the 2024 Young Guns Series, with the race for a place in the New Year’s Eve extravaganza reaching a final sprint to the line.

Less than two weeks remain before the field of drivers is declared for the meeting, which proved a major hit last year when it was conducted for the first time.

The 2024 Young Guns Series will be battled out by the state’s top 10 under-25 drivers based on wins this season to midnight November 30.

The 10 drivers will compete in eight ratings-exempt races throughout the course of the night, with a sliding points scale based on finishing positions used to declare an overall winner.

Ryan Sanderson won the inaugural series and will be back to defend his crown on December 31. Before Monday’s races at Charlton, Sanderson (88) sat second on the under-25 leaderboard behind James Herbertson, who had an astonishing 337 winners to November 17. Jordan Leedham (62), Luke Dunne (58), Ryan Backhouse (51), Lochie Cook (51), Ewa Justice (50), Liam Older (44), Sean O’Sullivan (37) and Tasmyn Potter (35) are the other drivers currently inside the top 10, with Potter ahead of Connor Clarke (35) on a countback using second placings.

Clarke, Taylor Youl (27), Tristan Larsen (21), Ben Xiriha (19) and Annalise Scott (17) lead the chasing bunch trying to secure a spot at the meeting.

In addition to the Young Guns Series, a repechage has been added for the next 10 drivers on the 2024 standings to ensure the entire New Year’s Eve card will support our stars of tomorrow.

While patrons on track will enjoy a great night, those at home will be able to watch the action on Sky Racing, Sky Racing Active and TrotsVision.