A TINY village farm is preparing to host a major motor racing event.

The 2001 National Autograss Championships take place at Carrsides Farm, Rushyford, on Saturday and Sunday next week.

The competition, organised by the Dales Autograss League, has been arranged at short notice because of foot-and-mouth.

The competition, held on a fresh 410-metre oval track, has its roots in banger and jalopy racing and began in 1974 in Stratford. Racing started in April with about 4,000 drivers fighting to qualify for the finals through clubs and leagues .

The last 400 drivers will turn up at Rushyford next Saturday morning and by the Sunday night there will be one national champion.

There are ten technical classes and drivers score points through three sets of heats. Top scorers in each class go through to their final on Sunday afternoon. Each class champion then goes forward to the champions race. Cars are handicapped by distance according to their class.

The sport, which is amateur, has attracted several local drivers, including Newton Aycliffe's Peter Brown, Graham Blackburn from Darlington and Stockton drivers Brian Dodsworth and David Knott.

Entry to the event is £5.50 on Saturday and £6.50 on Sunday, with concessions for under-16s and pensioners and free entry for accompanied under-14s.