Witham race ace James Winslow showed his true potential in a crucial testing session on Friday.

James clocked one of the fastest times ever at the 3.7 mile-long Bedford Autodrome driving a Parma-Audi sports car on Friday.

Winslow's time of 1m 01.570 was faster than anyone who tested last year at the same venue and was only four one-hundreths off the track record.

James, 23, tore around the circuit for 50 laps, recording speeds in excess of 155mph. This test puts him in pole position for the Parma-Audi Championship which begins at the beginning of April.

James' future in the competition is still in the balance, however, as he still requires £30,000 to be able to race for the entire season.

Work for Winslow, from Witham, is as a full-time instructor at Brands Hatch.

You pay to put your life in their hands as they take you on what are called 'hot laps'.

In other words you pay for them to scare the living daylights from under you as they tear around the track, topping 100mph in the process.

But James is different. His job is so close to his heart that it could take him to a world where the glamour and riches of Monaco are common-place.

The name Jensen Button brings about mental images of a young driver with talent but a poorly-performing car on the Formula 1 circuit.

Talk to James about him and he'll tell you of a person he used to regularly beat on the kart circuit when they were younger.

He recalls: "Jensen and I raced against each other in karts and I used to beat him as well.

"He was in the right place at the right time to get his break in F1.

"He also had a lot of money behind him to help achieve his goal."

The drive at Bedford was the prize for his victory for winning the British 100 Kart Championship.

Last year James was running third in the Lotus Elise Sport Class Championship when he had to withdraw after five rounds due to lack of finance.

He says: "It was tough having to withdraw as I was doing well and could see myself continuing to improve. But it wasn't to be so I went back to what I know best."

James entered the British Club 100 Kart Championship in February 2001 and proceeded to record seven wins and with it the championship.

"I was one of the favourites to take the title which brought a lot of pressure that I wasn't used to. I prefer to be unknown so that I can relax and race without knowing that people are watching for me."

This will be a big boost for James as he hopes to compete in this years ten-round Parma-Audi UK Championship.

The eventual winner will go to the front of the queue for a F1 test drive next year.

"It's something that I badly want. I know I can do it. To be fair I'm running out of time to get into the big time. Button made it when he was 20. I'm 23 now. I know that most of the top drivers didn't get picked up until their late 20's. I want to get there as soon as possible."

In the middle of his quest for F1 stardom James has set himself another test. July sees the longest endurance car race in the world take place in Belguim.

The Spa 25 hour race will see James join three other drivers driving a custom-made Volkswagen sports car that can top 160mph.

He adds: "Mental preparation is the key. I'll be driving two hour shifts at a time in the car. So I can't afford to switch off. One lapse and I'll be in the wall before I can blink."

If this race goes to plan James will look into taking part in the famous Le Mans event sometime in the future.

The Parma-Audi UK Championship, is James' immediate concern.

Currently he requires capital to compete for the whole term.

If you would like to help James you can contact him on 01376 514501

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002