TEENAGER James Morrison, fresh from his latest win on the racetrack, was in pole position at the launch of the third Oxfordshire Formula S2000 championship.

The competition is aimed at getting the county's secondary school Students switched on to a career in engineering.

James, 15, of Shelley Close, Banbury, was the driver of Banbury School's winning car in this year's Formula S2000.

He was among the launch audience when teachers from 17 schools were told how building and racing one-eighth scale models of formula racing cars sparked a new interest for teenagers.

But as the launch ended, James slipped off to sit behind the wheel of a real Formula 3 car at Oxford Brookes University to reflect on his second win of the year in a go-kart race at Grove, near Wantage. He said: "Our prize included a session of go-karting - and I won.

"Although I have to concentrate on exams this year, I would really like to be a racing car driver, although I am equally interested in engineering design."

At the launch, the chief executive of the Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council, Barrie Giles, said: "This is not just about interesting young people in engineering, although that is the main point of the project. Everyone who has taken part is full of enthusiasm for other aspects of development, such as team building and motivation of young people."

Rob Austin, head of technology at Banbury School, told the audience: "More than 200 students at our school wanted to take part this year and the project helped in delivering the school's curriculum."

Sue Brown, speaking for Prodrive world rally winners and the Benetton racing team, said: "There is a problem in the motorsport industry because of a skills shortage and there is a great future for young people with mechanical and other skills."

Students also get work experience and the chance to deal with sponsors. The next race day will be on Friday February 26, 1999.

Schools or sponsors can get details from Sarah Rusby, of the TEC, on 01235 553249.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.