THE University of York's top sports team are gearing up for another season in the fast lane.

The uni's karting club - awarded the Team of the Year 2001 trophy from the athletic union - have begun preparations for the new 2002 Inter-Universities Karting Championships.

The club finished an excellent seventh out of 32 in last season's standings and want to consolidate in this year's competition, which is being run by Nottingham and Imperial Universities.

Club president Alex Withington said: "We would obviously like to finish higher but I think we should want to consolidate our top ten position.

"We've got the experience in terms of the tracks but no specific experience of the new cars, which some teams have."

The karts to be used in these championships will this time be provided by a corporate karting event provider, Club 100. They are two-stroke rather than four-stroke engined and will be able to reach top speeds of 80mph and go from 0 to 60mph in just five seconds.

Withington said: "The cars will rev a lot higher and go a lot faster than last year. They should also make things more even between the teams as results will rely more on who's the better driver rather than who's got the most reliable car."

The 2002 IUKC begins on February 20 with round one at Whilton Mill, Northampton, with following rounds to be held at Buckmore Park, Kent, a circuit endorsed by Grand Prix driver Johnny Herbert; Rye House, Hoddesdon; and Clay Pigeon, Dorset, the track formerly used by Formula One wonderkid Jenson Button.

The YUKC 'A' team to race in each round will comprise Withington, John Emerson, Graham Craig and Richard Selby. The club, which has seen membership soar to record levels of more than 80, will also send a 'B' team to race.

Withington added "We've been to a test day and it is all very professional, and there will be another test day before the first round next month. We are all looking forward to it."

Updated: 14:25 Tuesday, January 22, 2002