Super-charged Formula One cars are are being prepared at Elvington Airfield for tomorrow's Spanish Grand Prix.

The Evening Press was given exclusive access to the high-speed tests on the two-mile runway by the McLaren Mercedes team, after villagers raised concerns over noise.

The car was a mere blur as it roared to speeds of up to 150mph during several minute-long runs up and down the runway.

Data generated by the tests was immediately sent back to the team's base in Barcelona, using hi-tech computers, in readiness for tomorrow's big race.

Pete Vale, chief mechanic for McLaren's test team, said Formula One's governing body, the FIA, laid down strict guidelines on how much testing can take place prior to races, so runs lasted no more than a few minutes at a time. He said: "Elvington is a very worthwhile facility for the teams. The testing we do here is vital to the performance of the car over the season."

Mr Vale said the 15-strong team, who stayed at the Black Bull pub in Hull Road, had made a lot of friends in York.

Steve Clark, a senior McLaren engineer, studied electronic engineering at the University of York before working in Formula One. "It's weird to go back to all my old haunts," he said.

"The city has changed a lot."

Chris Hudson, company secretary for runway owners Elvington Park Ltd, said the airfield was one of Formula One's designated testing sites approved by the FIA.

"It helps us bring in much needed revenue to make repairs to the runway," he said.

"We don't feel the testing is particularly noisy and it's only for about ten minutes a day."

McLaren has booked further testing days at the airfield during the summer, along with other top teams, British American Racing and Jordan.

The Evening Press recently reported that the Formula One testing was sending local residents round the bend over claims the noise was "hellish".

Updated: 08:53 Saturday, May 07, 2005