FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD Chris Mallinson is preparing for a bumper motorsport season - when he will be taking on the best young drivrs in the north.

Chris, a pupil at South craven School, is due to launch his 1998 season at York on Easter Monday when he competes in the Junior Class One grass track races.

"It is probably the cheapest way to get into motor racing," said he father Andrew, who has helped prepare his car for the campaign.

All drivers in the section use basic Minis with 1,000cc engines, basic suspension, brakes and exhaust systems.

But there the similarity to the thousands of Minis on the road ends. All the windows, interior upholstery and carpets have been ripped out, even the lights and dashboard have been removed.

A safety roll cage, fire extinguisher and special 'rally' seat are installed to make the car safe for the event. The drivers then cover five laps of an oval circuit, laid out in fields.

Chris is aiming for a place in thenational finals which are held at Stratford-on-Avon in September.

l The Harewood Hillclimb season gets underway this weekend with the opening round of the Yorkshire Auto-Trader Harewood Speed Championships on Sunday.

Over 140 drivers are expected to take part with Keighley Renault ace Bobby Fryers among the favourites in his two litre Clio Williams.

There will also be strong local interest in the road modified kit and replica class which includes Steve Dunn of Keighley among the runners in his Westfield SE1.

Admission to the event is £5, which includes a programme, while children under-14 get in free.

l The Northern Off Road Club is holding an Easter Extravaganza on Sunday and Monday on land of Wheatlands Lane, between Cross Hills and Lothersdale. Members of the public will have the chance to ride as passenger over a course of rough terrain, steep climbs, drops and hazards or test their own machines during an Open Day from 10.00am to 4.00pmon Sunday.

l Chris Mallinson (right) with his Mini

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