Buckhurst Hill race ace Matt Baldacci is hoping he is on the fast track to a career in motorsport.

The 24-year-old, who runs a snack bar in the City, hopes to be setting his sights on a faster moving job in the near future after being signed up to drive in this year's Renault Sport Spider Cup.

And if all goes well it could launch him into the world of Touring Cars and all the trappings that go with it.

"The dream is to get paid to drive rather than having to pay to drive," said Matt. "And this is a great chance to realise that dream. I'm looking forward to the series and both the team and I are all set to win it."That is confident talk from a man who has spent just five laps in a Renault Spider at Silverstone after last year racing in single seater cars.

But confidence is what will be required in large measures and Matt added: "It was totally different to what I am used to.

"I have been racing single-seaters my whole life. I have had to adjust my style of driving to suit the car but I'm confident I can succeed this season.

"We will shake the car down next week and then we'll be testing at Thruxton, where the first race is being held during Easter, and then we'll set our sights for the championship."

But he desperately needs some more financial backing and has been busy approaching local firms -- so far, without success.

"It is baffling why people are not interested, especially considering what we offer in return, but we will just keep on trying and eventually I am sure someone will come in for us,'' he said.

"This is only the third year of the championship," he added. "But it is likely to be the most competitive season yet. Whoever wins it is bound to go on bigger and better things."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.