POWER by name and power by nature! That is 13-year-old Ryan Power who has proved himself a whizz-kid on the race track.

For he has roared into the fast lane to be crowned the North of England junior autograss racing champion.

Ryan, of Woodhill Road, Bury, scooped the title at the North of England Autograss Championship in York. He is pictured celebrating his victory with his his Mini car and trophy.

Autograss is an off-road motorsport involving specially modified cars which have interior trim, windows and fuel tanks removed and a roll cage and mesh fitted.

Driving his own Austin Mini, Ryan competed against scores of others in the 12-16 age group on his way to capturing the big prize.

The youngster has hit top gear in only his second year in the fiercely competitive sport. Mum Jacqueline and father Ged have been involved in autograss racing for the past 15 years.

His proud mum said: "Ryan started driving in my car, reversing up and down our driveway.

"In his first year of competition, he won the North West and his own club championships. He's taken to the sport like a duck to water." Ryan and his dad virtually built the Mini which the teenager drives in all competitions and he is something of an accomplished mechanic, too.

At the North of England championship, Ryan raced against eight other vehicles in three heats over 45 laps and won them all. He also took the chequered flag in the subsequent six-lap final to win the coveted junior title.