FORGET the Whacky Racers! Blackpool's own Team X were the drivers to watch during the final of Channel 5's car-crunching Combat Cars this week.

Team X manager Pat Masters, of Anchorsholme Lane West, Cleveleys, and fellow enthusiasts Duncan Speirs and Ian McClelland, from Kilmarnock, appeared on TV on Tuesday evening battling for the television series' £1500 cash prize and trophy.

More than 20 teams were featured on the programme driving cars fitted with secret weapons round an obstacle course before taking part in battle to the death. Sounds easy enough, until you realise it was all done by remote control! Pat, 33, explained: "We adapted a car and put in radio gear so we could work the controls, but it was really hard driving it!"

But the team's experience stood them in good stead. Duncan is a remote controlled model aircraft expert along with fellow enthusiast Ian, and one of trained mechanic Pat's successes included a racing boat which he converted and drove round Blackpool to the amazement of passers-by.

Team X put on the style during a two-day shoot at Northampton raceway by converting an old Jaguar XJ6 and winning through heats to the nail-biting final.

But disaster was in store. Pat admitted: "Pilot error was the problem. We had pretty much won it. Duncan was driving and their car was disabled, so he went for the kill.

"But the other team somehow managed to get clear and wedge us against a wall. We lost it right at the last minute. We were devastated."

But despite the defeat Team X remains undaunted. "Afterwards the Jag still started and Duncan's still got it outside his workshop," Pat said.

And during the recent annual British Buggy Extravaganza, at Great Malvern, Worcestershire, Team X carried off the trophy for off-road racing competition.

But even racing champions have to apply the brakes sometimes, and Pat and the team will now take a well-earned break.