Emma Karwacki is lapping up the motor racing game (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Emma Karwacki is lapping up the motor racing game

EMMA Karwacki, from Moreton-in-Marsh, is a few laps away from achieving her lifelong dream of becoming a professional racing driver after reaching the third and final preliminary round of a fiercely competitive 2003 Michelin Renault Scholarship.

The 26-year-old's sights are now firmly set on winning the overall prize of a fully funded racing season in the 2004 Elf Clio Renaultsport Cup being managed by British GT ace Tim Sugden.

The prize money is worth in excess of £85,000.

For Emma showed exceptional skill and determination to get through the first two rounds of the Michelin Renault Scholarship, having impressed the team judges with her handling of a two-litre Renault Sport Clio.

However, the going will get much tougher for her as only 50 drivers will be invited back to take part in two pre-finals on February 19-20.

If after the pre-final, the judges believe that Emma has the driving skills to make it in the highly competitive world of motor racing, she will be selected as one of ten competitors to battle it out in the grand final taking place at Croft on Friday, February 27.

Emma, who is optimistic that she can go all the way, commented: "I think I've definitely got what it takes to become a racing driver.

"As I've made it through rounds one and two, I'm confident I can progress to the finals. But, whatever happens, no one can take the experience or thrill of taking part in the scholarship away from me."

The fate of these would be racing drivers will be decided by a judging panel made up of scholarship creator and twice British GT Champion, Tim Sugden; John Bintcliffe, ex-touring car driver and team owner, sports psychologist Mark Nesty together with representatives from sponsors Michelin and Renault.

International GT driver Tim Sugden set up the Michelin Renault Scholarship in 1996 to uncover new racing talent of the future.

For those budding racing drivers out there who think they have enough guts and determination to rub shoulders with the likes of Schumacher and Barrichello, the 2004 Michelin Renault Scholarship will be launched in March - so call the scholarship hotline on 0870 402 4040 or visit www.bearacingdriver.com