n MOTORSPORT: Stortford

SPEED DEMON Claire Morran has her foot on the gas pedal as she prepares to step up her bid to win the ladies category of the 2000 Ford Ka Championship.

Rally ace Morran currently tops the ladies category of the Wholesale Motorsport-sponsored championship but is just one point ahead of arch-rival Jane Edgington after three races and is 12th in the overall table.

The season started in March in Carlisle where Morran drove steadily but finished well down the field.

She improved significantly in the second race on tarmac in Wales to win the ladies category.

The most recent meeting earlier this month was held at a forest course, also in Wales, where Morran started well but fell back in the final stage of the race.

She said: 'I've not had a great season so far but things are ticking over and I'm not disappointed, especially when I look at the times I have recorded which have been pretty good.

'My aim at the start of the season was to finish in the top seven in the overall championship and that is going to be difficult now as there are some very good racers around. Competition is fierce and it will be difficult to make up ground.

'I am twelfth at the moment and looking at the drivers ahead of me. I think I can move up two or three places and I will be pleased if I can get up to ninth.'

Morran, who works as a nurse, believes she would have to spend a lot more time in the car if she wants to become a serious challenger in the overall championship, but is confident that she can hold off the stiff challenge of Edgington in the ladies category.

She added: 'It's nice to have an ongoing battle with Jane and I'm sure it will be head-to-head between us for the rest of the season. I handed points to her in the final section of the last race but if I can steer clear of mistakes I can win the ladies section.'

Championship races are covered on Channel Four and there are various prizes available this season including an award for the most promising driver and a dealership cup.

There are five races to go this season and the drivers return to action in Wales for the next race in June.

speed demon Claire Morran has her foot on the gas pedal as she prepares to step up her bid to win the ladies category of the 2000 Ford Ka Championship.

Rally ace Morran currently tops the ladies category of the Wholesale Motorsport-sponsored championship but is just one point ahead of arch-rival Jane Edgington after three races and is 12th in the overall table.

The season started in March in Carlisle where Morran drove steadily but finished well down the field.

She improved significantly in the second race on tarmac in Wales to win the ladies category.

The most recent meeting earlier this month was held at a forest course, also in Wales, where Morran started well but fell back in the final stage of the race.

She said: 'I've not had a great season so far but things are ticking over and I'm not disappointed, especially when I look at the times I have recorded which have been pretty good.

'My aim at the start of the season was to finish in the top seven in the overall championship and that is going to be difficult now as there are some very good racers around. Competiton is fierce and it will be difficult to make up ground.

'I am twelfth at the moment and looking at the drivers ahead of me, I think I can move up two or three places and I will be pleased if I can get up to ninth.

Morran, who works as a nurse, believes she would have to spend a lot more time in the car if she wanted to become a serious challenger in the overall championship, but is confident that she can hold off the stiff challenge of Edgington in the ladies category.

She added: 'It's nice to have an ongoing battle with Jane and I'm sure it will be head-to-head between us for the rest of the season. I handed points to her in the final section of the last race but if I can steer clear of mistakes I can win the ladies section.'

Championship races are covered on Channel Four and there are various prizes available this season including an award for the most promising driver and a dealership cup.

There are five races to go this season and the drivers return to action in Wales for the next race in June.