TWO North-East rally drivers used racing to inspire youngsters to take an interest in maths today (Tuesday, February 5).

Chris Anderson, from Butterknowle, and Chris Thirling, from Bishop Auckland, visited Framwellgate School Durham as part of the Durham City school’s Maths Week.

Mr Thirling challenged pupils to calculate lap speeds and fuel consumption rates.

High-performing students got to sit in a rally car for themselves.

Catherine Purvis-Mawson, the school’s Maths Week organiser, said: “Inviting external partners to come and deliver sessions in school is a fantastic way of exciting and inspiring the students to think differently about their subjects.”

Peter Metcalfe, regional development officer for GoMotorsport in the North-East and Cumbria, said: “It’s really great to be able to bring students’ lessons alive and with the rally car we have done just that.”