An obsession that started at the age of 12 has blossomed into a trophy-winning career for sprint and hillclimb ace Stephen Irvine.

For Irvine, who lives in Worsthorne, near Burnley, is now one of the north-west’s leading drivers in the sport, racking up a series of class wins in his MGB GT.

The 38-year-old quality control inspector is a front-runner in this year’s Luffield MG Speed Championship, leading his class in the northern section, for 1501-2400cc cars, with three rounds completed.

And although there are seven rounds to go, Irvine has already left his rivals trailing, thanks to victories at Harewood, Gurston Down and Anglesey, where he broke the class record by two seconds.

“It’s been a good start to the season so far, but there’s a long way to go yet,” said Irvine, who works for Aircelle in Burnley.

“Hillclimbing and sprinting is a fantastic sport. You get to race at some of motor racing’s most famous tracks, such as Shelsley Walsh in Worcestershire, which is the world’s oldest operating motorsport venue, and the social scene is great.

“Although there is intense rivalry on the track, away from it there’s a great sense of camaraderie among the drivers, and I’ve made lots of friends over the years.”

“You get two practice runs and three timed runs at each round, which doesn’t sound a lot, but the pressure is intense. One small mistake and your time is ruined, so preparation is everything.”

Irvine’s interest in four wheels began when he used to ‘borrow’ a car from his dad – Burnley football legend Willie Irvine – when he was out, and go for a drive around the lanes in Worsthorne.

“My parents bought me my first car, a Morris 1100, which I pulled apart and rebuilt, and it all started from there.

“I then had a succession of cars, a Ford Escort Mexico, Avenger Tiger and a stage rally Sunbeam Ti, which blew the gearbox on my first event.”

A spell in the Army, where Irvine’s driving talent behind the wheel was quickly recognised, led to him competing in V8 Army Land Rovers in Cross Country events, and an appearance in the 2004 Monte Carlo Classic Challenge in a Ford Anglia, where he finished 53rd overall.

After leaving the Army in 1999, his interest in motorsport resumed when he came across an immaculate MGB GT for sale.

“It was the archetypal one old lady owner car, fantastic on top, absolutely awful underneath, but I still decided to buy it,” explained Irvine.

“I’d gone to a hillclimb meeting with a friend and got bitten by the bug. There were several MG’s taking part, so I decided to convert mine into something that would be competitive.

“I wanted to do it properly, so we spent a lot of time and money achieving our objective. But the results speak for themselves, and I won the award for best novice and best-prepared car in my first season with the new car.

“It’s great sport and I’d recommend it to anyone who is looking to start out in grassroots motor racing.”

l Stephen Irvine, who is supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association, would like to thank his mum and dad, Willie and Rita, and wife Gaynor for their support, and also Daniel Harper and Rob Waddington at Minisport of Padiham. Thanks also to sponsor Bob Henderson of GBBUK Ltd, Forensic Collision Investigation & Research, based at Burnley Wharf.