KEVIN Packford, from North Weald Basset, is well on track to realising his dream of becoming a pro-racing driver for the season after reaching the finals of this year's Michelin Renault Scholarship competition.

Ex-Touring Car and International GT driver Tim Sugden set up the Michelin Renault Scholarship in 1996 to uncover new racing talent of the future.

The scholarship provides anyone over 17 with the chance to break into the highly competitive world of motorsport, regardless of age, sex, previous experience, or having any financial backing.

And from an original field of almost 450 Packford, who trades in the futures market during the day, is now down to the final 30 competitors that have made it to this year's pre-final, which is being held at the Croft circuit, near Darlington today (Thursday).

The winner's prize will be a fully funded 13-race season between April and October at the country's top racing circuits as part of the Tim Sugden Championship winning team, in the 2002 Elf Clio Renaultsport Cup, worth in excess of £80,000.

Packford, 28 who has driven in the Formula Dodge Championship in America for a season in 1999 and races his go-cart nearly every weekend, will now have to demonstrate to the judges that he is the driver with the greatest skill, physical and mental attributes.

Despite demonstrating some exceptional driving skills to progress through the previous three rounds, Packford is under no illusions that the final competition for the overall prize is going to be far from easy.

He said: "It has been a tough challenge to get this far, but after so many competitors have already been whittled down, I know that it is going to be even harder to get through the final 30.

"Some of these will have a lot more racing experience than me, but I'm still confident. I knew all a long that it was going to be hard, because they are not going to pay £80,000 to anyone to drive for them for the season.

"However this is possibly the closest I am likely to get to becoming a professional racing driver.

"I have really got to turn on the style and give it my best shot and maybe it will be me sitting on the starting grid in April."

Even if Packford doesn't make it he has still enjoyed taking part in event, which only costs entrants £200 to take part in each round.

He added: "I have really had fun and who wouldn't when you get the chance to thrash a racing car around a proper track?"