A POPULAR go-karting club set up to help steer York youngsters away from car crime is being forced to close.

The City of York Council-run Slicks group was formed in 1998 as a novel way of getting teenagers off the streets, by teaching them basic mechanics and driving skills.

It operated a workshop at the Moor Lane Youth Centre, and used a makeshift racetrack in the car park of York College, off Tadcaster Road.

The karts travelled at a maximum speed of 15mph, but organisers said the thrill factor was just as great as if you were driving a car around the streets at 60mph.

Council youth leaders hoped it would steer youngsters away from car crime by providing a safe and constructive alternative to breaking into cars and driving them off.

Trevor Clark, 58, who co-ordinated Slicks for four years, said he was "philosophical" about the closure.

"It's a pity but we're hoping to get some funding in the future," he said.

Assistant director of Slicks Tony Richardson, 44, from Haxby, said: "From what I've been informed, there was no money left for the project. I guess it's one of those things."

Pete Condon, 18, who helped out at the club for several years, said: "The kids used to love it. It gave them something interesting to do."

The council's executive member for leisure, Coun Keith Orrell, said: "The suspending of the go-kart project is part of a continuous process of changes to activities for young people.

"Activities are regularly changed, adapted, suspended according to the changing needs and preferences of young people. If there is a resurgence of demand for the go-kart project in the future the equipment will be available.

"The Youth Service is continuing to provide the momentum-on-wheels project and a whole variety of activities for young people. Later this year, the work of the Youth Service will become an all-year-round service instead of just being available in school term time.

"This will be delivered by more and more full-time youth workers in youth centres that are gradually being modernised."

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, February 24, 2005