Rachel Owen from Bangor in North Wales is the latest novice racer to commit to the John Cooper Challenge for 2004. The 23-year old will race the car driven by S4C TV presenter Lisa Gwilym last season in her debut year of competition.

"I'm a complete novice," admits Rachel. "I've done some track days to get into the swing of things and I'm just going to go out there and do my best." She has already taken her ARDS test at her local Anglesey track and has been testing at Oulton Park.

Rachel, who is an assistant sales manager in her family's kitchen and bathroom business, will be learning most of the tracks in 2004, although she has driven at Oulton and Donington Park.

"I just want to get as far as I can and show the lads that we can do it," she says. "But it's going to be completely different to track days. It's like a dream come true!" Rachel will contest the MINI Clubsport Class in the car, which will be tended by Butler Motorsports of Wrexham.

Her racing campaign will carry lots of family support, including from her parents. "My boyfriend Paul is Mini mad as well," she says. "They're all backing me up."Looking ahead, Rachel is already thinking about moving up to the MINI S Class for 2005, but knows she has a lot of learning to do in the meantime.