MIKE Hartley is taking up the challenge of competing in Britain's top one-make racing championship, writes NEIL JOHNSON.

For the Nelson-based businessman will be making his debut in the popular Ford Fiesta Challenge at Oulton Park's British Touring Car meeting this weekend.

No stranger to success in one-make racing, Mike is making the step up after three years competing in the Fiat Challenge, which culminated in a memorable first win at Oulton Park last year.

"The Fiestas have a high profile, thanks to racing in front of capacity crowds as support to the Touring Cars," he said..

"Each round is featured on Sky television, and the prize money is very good if you win - but it makes the competition that much tougher." Formulated to ensure close and exciting racing, each car has a sealed, 1.4 litre Zetec engine, producing around 100bhp, strictly controlled suspension modifications and choice of tyres.

The last round, held at Brands Hatch, saw the top five runners all qualify with a quarter of a second of each other, and just two seconds covered the entire 21-car grid.

Mike's ex-Neil Gordon car is backed by the family firm of Hartley's Farm Foods, which has outlets in Blackburn, Burnley and Nelson markets, and will be looked after by AMR Racing, the Leeds-based motorsport preparation firm run by former Peugeot BTCC mechanic Adrian Miller.

He added: "The car has a good pedigree, finishing second overall in its last two races, but our initial goal will be to qualify and finish in the top ten. Anything more than that will be a bonus."

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