Motorsport Gains Street Cred

60,000 new-look motorsport competitors and spectators will be created by 2008, based on an innovative project that aims to encourage modified car enthusiasts to test out their limits on the circuits, not on the streets.

A new "CruiseSport" company formed by the British Racing & Sports Car Club (BRSCC) - has received £350,000 from the Government Motorsport Unit to develop a ‘street modified motorsport' programme to attract young people whose activities have previously been criticised as anti-social.

CruiseSport will appeal to the growing number of young people whose major leisure interest is customising and showing cars. Such ‘cruisers' congregate in groups in public places, which can bring them into conflict with police and residents.

Vicki Squirrell, manager of CruiseSport said, "It is fashion-conscious motorsport dedicated to the youth market and modified cars, which provides circuit-based activities while retaining street credibility. We will be organising legal and safe events at appropriate venues located throughout the UK for these people to meet and interact, this will remove their activities from public roads and other unsuitable locations".