DRIVER Jonny Milner has made extensive modifications to his ‘Extreme’ Toyota Celica GT4 in preparation for the historic Hillclimb at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Milner, from Huggate, and his Merlin Preparations team have made a number of adjustments to the aerodynamics, suspension, engine and gearbox in a bid to outclass his lighter, F1 competitors in the epic 1.16 mile race.

The ‘Extreme’ Toyota Celica GT4 is now even more extreme. Boasting a new shade – ‘Lexus Nürburgring Orange’ in celebration of the Celica’s 40th anniversary – a new engine that delivers 850 BHP, wings, winglets and Michelin’s super sticky hill climb tyres, Milner is confident that the team has done everything they can to produce a winning car.

He said: “Although we’ve done everything we can and we’re confident, we’re also realistic. “The Celica is 400kg heavier than most of the other cars in the climb, but with the right conditions – wet would be good for us, being rally people – we’ve got a fighting chance.”

Milner has been invited by Toyota to take part in the Hillclimb and is hoping that he can improve on last year’s second position and take a win back to East Yorkshire.

The Hillclimb is the Festival of Speed’s principal attraction.

Taking place throughout the weekend, the challenging, invitation-only course starts as a tree-lined run through the southern corner of the Goodwood Estate which then turns to sweep past the front of Goodwood House before climbing a steep and narrow estate road towards Goodwood’s equine racecourse on top of the South Downs.

Milner will be one of 300 cars and motorbikes that will sprint up the iconic hill daily in the hope of getting a fast enough time to earn a place in the Shoot Out finale on Sunday.