RACING driver Jonny Lang has moved a step closer to his dream of competing at Le Mans after securing a seat in the 2006 British GT Championship.

For the 25-year-old company director from Barrowford has joined with the Trackspeed team to drive a Porsche 996 GT3 in the 14-race series.

"It's great to get the chance, and I'm determined to make an impression in the GT Class," said Lang, who works for Futuristic Fibre Optics Ltd in Nelson.

"Trackspeed plan to move in the FIA European GT Championship in 2007 and ultimately to run cars at Le Mans, so I feel I'm well placed to move with them."

Former kart racer Lang enjoyed a highly-sucessful debut season in North West Formula Fords last year, finishing second overall in a final round shoot-out for the title.

He explained: "The switch from single seaters was made because there was more of a prospect of a career in sports car racing than on the more expensive single seater ladder.

"I was asked to run with the team at Donington Park, by their manager, the 2005 British GT champion Piers Maserati, and instantly got on with the car, even though the driving style is considerably different from the Formula Ford I drove last year.

"The team was impressive and are bullish about there prospects for the 2006 season. I was made a good offer and decided to run with them. I'll be sharing the racing with Renualt Clio Cup winter champion Matt Allison.

"He's a regular test driver at Palmer Sports, who should prove to be a good yardstick in which to measure myself against!"

Highly-rated Lang has also secured support for his GT campaign with Aston Ventures (investment catalysts) ATL Surveys(rating consultants) of Blacko, near Nelson and Optic Lighting (fibre optic lighting) also of Nelson. But extra support would still be welcome.

"I'm looking for a personal website to be done for the racing. I'm open to offers from small local companies who would be willing to do it in return for their logo on the car!" he said.

He now faces a busy two weeks, with just one more test session with the Porsche before the season starts.

He said: "I'm very excited by the prospect. The one-hour races will run along side the British F3 Championship and the UK Formula Ford rounds. The Championship also has a round at Pau, the French street circuit.

"But I'm on home territory for the first round, which kicks off on Easter weekend at Oulton Park in Cheshire."