BOY racers at Canon Lee School, York, are facing a lesser known problem in the world of Grand Prix - teenage growth.

When members of the Clifton team tested their motor this week in preparation for this summer's Shell Mileage Marathon at Silverstone they discovered their driver had grown too big for it!

The car was designed especially to fit the 15-year-old driver, Nick Jennings, last year, but in the last few months he has grown so tall he is having problems getting into the car.

"We can just squeeze him in," said team manager Mike Proctor, head of the school's CDT department.

"He is all right until we squash the roof down over him. He is OK without the crash helmet on but he is not allowed to race without one.

"We will make sure we get him in for July though even if we have to starve him!"

Nick, who would like to be a Grand Prix driver, added: "The car fitted me last year. But when I climbed into it last week for the test run I felt squashed and cramped.

"Now we are having to move the brakes forward to fit my legs in, but we will manage it somehow."

Schoolchildren, students and motoring enthusiasts from all over the country and Europe have spent the last few months trying to design and build the car which can achieve the most miles per gallon of fuel.

This year there will be a record 113 entrants, but pupils at the York school are confident they are on the road to success - and the £1,000 prize for the winners.

"We estimate our vehicle will achieve 1,400 miles per gallon on the day, but we are working flat out to get the best possible results for our team," said Mike.

This year's event takes place over two days, Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, at Silverstone race circuit with Nick Jennings or reserve driver 13-year-old David Jennings behind the wheel.

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