A YOUNG local driver will be putting his foot down in search of top honours when a major motor racing event is held near Bedale next weekend, writes Brian Redhead.

About 5,000 spectators are expected to converge on the national autograss championships at Hillside House Farm, Thornborough, on August 6 and 7 (10am-6pm) both days, where 400 cars will take part in more than 150 races.

There are seven classes for saloons and three classes for cars specially built for racing and drivers will be competing for a range of trophies culminating in the prestigious champion of champions.

The event was held at Hillside House Farm in 2002 and was so successful that the organisers decided to use the same venue this year on a new "virgin" track of grass and hard clay.

Some of the cars coming from all over the country are faster off the grid than in Formula 1 and are expected to reach speeds of 100mph over a 250-metre stretch.

Local driver James Almack will be representing his club the Dales League, which covers a huge area from Bedale to the Scottish borders, at the wheel of a 1973 Class 4 Hillman Imp Stiletto with an engine built by Roger Gill, of York.

James, 21, won through to the championships by beating stiff competition at qualifying events at Silloth, Cumbria, and on his home ground at Kiplin, near Scorton. He has been racing since he was 16.

His Imp is a rear wheel drive car, however, and he will face strong competition from drivers of newer front wheel drive models including Citroens and Peugeots.

Main sponsors of the championships are Sherwoods Coaches and Black Sheep Brewery.