A TEENAGER from Oswaldtwistle will be representing his country in a European car racing championship later this week. John Isherwood will be blazing a trail of glory when the European remote control car races get under way in the French town of Dijon.

And if the race goes well, the 15-year-old from Highfield Close could be taking part in the World Championships in Southampton next month. John has been racing remote control cars since the age of eight and spends most of his spare time and money on the hobby.

He is so accomplished at the sport he has now been picked at national level and has even won a sponsorship deal from a Hertfordshire model firm.

Proud dad Plan introduced John to the world of remote control racing, but has since been left behind on the starting grid by his son. Plan, 41, said: "I bought a second-hand car from someone at work, but was never very good at racing. John proved to be a natural and has much better co-ordination than me. I am just a grease monkey these days and go along on the trips as the pit-stop man.

"This is his first major tournament and if he gets in the top 30 or 40 he will have done really well." Younger brother Mark, 12, is also involved in the racing and has a sponsorship deal with the same firm as John. Models in Motion supply them with all their expensive cars and spare parts.

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