RACE RETRO ENCOURAGES YOUNG RACERS WITH COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES

Race Retro 2008, the International Historic Motorsport Show, is encouraging young motoring enthusiasts to get involved by competing in historic motorsport.

Children as young as seven years old are currently racing in some kart classes, but there are even more opportunities for teenagers looking to develop a career in motorsport.

Held at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, from 14th to 16th March, Race Retro will feature event organisers and special groups who offer training to youngsters.

For young racers, the British Racing & Sports Car Club will feature T Cars, an ideal first rung for drivers between the ages of 14 and 17 to get on to the motorsport ladder. It is one of only three championships in the UK which allow 14-year-olds to race full-size cars, creating an opportunity for aspiring young drivers to make the step into motor racing. Powered by identical two-litre, tuned Ford Duratec engines and run on Avon control tyres, the machines put out 145 brake horsepower. Regardless of this power, T Cars is known for being a safe junior formula.

The 750 Motor Club will show the Citroen Saxo cars driven in its SaxMax series. Based on the successful Stock Hatch series, SaxMax gives 14- to 17- year-olds the chance to drive identical specification Citroen Saxo VTR race-prepared cars. Championship races take place at major circuits throughout Great Britain, with the SaxMax champion crowned at the end of the season.

These two series race regularly in the UK and are sanctioned by the MSA to permit junior drivers from 14 years old to compete in races against other juniors. Ginetta also offers racing opportunities for those aged 14, in the Ginetta Junior Championship.

For rally enthusiasts, Junior Rallying (a new organisation) offers a specially-tailored programme for budding rally enthusiasts aged 14 to 17 years. Driving 1.4-litre rally cars, the youngsters train in the UK during weekends, with the ultimate objective of competing in stage rallies in Latvia, once they have reached the required standard. This gives the drivers a chance to compete on fully-sanctioned events, testing themselves on real rallies against experienced rally competitors.

The National Autograss Sports Association invites drivers from 12 to 16 years to compete in standard 997cc Minis or it's own Junior Specials at local events. The Junior Specials use the Vauxhall Corsa 1200cc engine, plus specified Vauxhall gearboxes, original-style struts and driveshafts. With cheap donor cars plentiful and older chassis easy and cheap to come by, this can be a very economic option, with engines and frames lasting an entire four-year racing career in some cases.

The Minicross Drivers Association also has openings for junior drivers aged 14 to 16 years old, using Rover Minis with 1000cc engines; one of these cars will be on their stand (in Hall 3) for drivers to see, along with Minicross driver Shelley Wakeling.

Tickets are available for one or two days. Children under 16 years are given free entry to Race Retro and there are discounts on adult tickets when booked in advance. The show is open from 09.30 each day and closes at 17.30 on Friday and Saturday, 16.30 on Sunday.

To book tickets and for the latest updates, please visit http://www.raceretro.com.