RACE ace Steve Hobday is hoping he'll be in tune with his new sponsor when he takes to the Rockingham Speedway track next month.

For Hobday, who lives in Haslingden, will be backed by rap superstar 50 Cent in round two of the Days of Thunder championship.

The deal co-incides with the appearance of the American hip-hop artist at the Northants circuit for his only outdoor concert in the UK this year.

The meeting, which takes place on June 6, culminates in a concert by 50 Cent with support from Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood on the Rockingham Stage.

"This is fantastic news," said Hobday, 40, who races for the Renegade team. "Everyone at Renegade is really excited about running with 50 Cent on the car. He's a big fan of NASCAR Racing, which the Days of Thunder series is based on, and I'm sure we'll give him something to cheer about before he goes out on stage. Perhaps he'll even write a rap about us!"

The sponsorship will provide a massive boost for former Legends racer Hobday and his Renegade Racing team-mate John Higgins, who have struggled to find the cash to contest their first-ever season in the Days of Thunder series.

Their whole year looked in jeopardy two months ago when their sponsor pulled out at the last-minute, leaving them with two specially-imported Chevrolet Monte Carlos -- and no money to compete.

However the pair clinched an 11th-hour deal with several smaller sponsors, including Teng Tools, who sponsored Steve when he was racing in the Legends Championship.

"This couldn't have come at a better time for both me and the team,"added Hobday, a former north west motocross champion.

"The potential for raising our profile is massive. The organisers are expecting to sell 60,000 tickets for the 50 Cent concert and his face is all over the bonnet of my car!"

Race tickets are priced at £14.95 for adults and £5 for under 16s from the box office, tel: 08700 134044. Concert tickets are £34.95 from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.