A Cheam IT engineer could soon be giving Jenson Button a run for his money at Silverstone if he makes it through a gruelling competition to win a motor racing contract.

Stephen Orpin will receive a seven-year deal with Button's management company and a racing licence if he beats 1,000 other hopefuls in the Exchange & Mart 2003 F1 Drivers' Challenge.

Mr Orpin made it through to the first round by impressing judges with a video about himself.

The eight-round challenge, which culminates in a race round the Italian Grand Prix circuit Monza in 1980s F1 cars, will be televised on Channel 5 this summer.

January 27, 2003 11:00