60,000 new-look motorsport competitors and spectators will be created by 2008, based on an innovative project that aims to encourage modified car enthusiasts to test out their limits on the circuits, not on the streets.

A new "CruiseSport" company formed by the British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC) - has received 350,000 from the Government Motorsport Unit to develop a £street modified motorsport' programme to attract young people whose activities have previously been criticised as anti-social.

CruiseSport will appeal to the growing number of young people whose major leisure interest is customising and showing cars. Such cruisers' congregate in groups in public places, which can bring them into conflict with police and residents.

Vicki Squirrell, manager of CruiseSport said, "It is fashion-conscious motorsport dedicated to the youth market and modified cars, which provides circuit-based activities while retaining street credibility. We will be organising legal and safe events at appropriate venues located throughout the UK for these people to meet and interact, this will remove their activities from public roads and other unsuitable locations".

"We aim to improve the public opinion of such groups locally and nationally through interaction with authorities such as councils and police."

CruiseSport Ltd will provide a centralised agency under the control of the Motor Sports Association (the governing body of motor sport in the UK) for ensuring that venues meet safety standards required, applying for permits, insurance, and legally arranging convoys to events as well as monitoring the modified car scene through its membership.

MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton said: "We welcome this initiative to create a new element alongside existing motor sports. We are actively working together with all parties to attract new people to motor sport and as the governing body our overriding responsibility is to ensure that the events are safe and well managed."

Motorsport Development Board member Robert Fearnall said, "CruiseSport will ultimately provide a new, interesting and inexpensive form of motorsport for the youth of today which is not traditionally catered for within motorsport. It will provide a concentrated market for car manufacturers and the booming accessories and modifications industry."

The next CruiseSport event will take place at Donington Park, Leicestershire on Saturday 25^th September. See www.CruiseSport.com for more information.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. Cruise Sport participants are recognised as an emerging economic and social group and are served by a range of self-organised groups and websites and by national magazines such as Maxpower, which estimates that the UK modifications & accessories industry is worth 320 million p.a.
   
   
2. The Motorsport Development Board has identified six key areas through which to achieve its objectives for widening participation in motorsport: Cruise Sport, karting, motorcycle racing, off road motorsport and women & disabled participants. It has appointed coordinators to develop plans and projects in each area.