A NORTH Yorkshire farmer is determined to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional racing driver after finishing a close third in a major scholarship competition.

Robert Lawson, from Barton, near Darlington, was one of nearly 350 entries in the international 2004 Michelin Renault Bearacingdriver.com Scholarship.

The 27-year-old came through three preliminary rounds and a pre-final to be one of 11 drivers to qualify for the final, which was held at Croft circuit, near Darlington.

Top driver Tim Sudgen lapped the circuit to set the benchmark time and Lawson said: "I was one of the last drivers out and I feel I drove exceptionally in my final assessment with John Bintcliffe, ex-works Audi British Touring Car racer.

"He told me I should be proud of the way I was driving and that I'd recorded the fastest lap of the day. I was devastated to find out I'd been placed third despite knowing I was several tenths faster than the driver placed second.

"I was unable to find out what times the winner recorded, but being told I had beaten Tim Sugden's quickest time by four tenths of a second when I've never raced a car was some consolation for being awarded third place."

Lawson just missed out on a first prize which included a fully funded season in the BRDC Single Seater Championship and a test with top Formula Three team Hi-Tech Racing.

But his efforts earned warm praise from Sugden, an ex-British Touring Car racer who drove for teams including Opel, Toyota and Mercedes and was twice British GT champion.

Lawson said: "I was told by Tim Sugden that the top three could have been decided by the toss of a coin, it was that close.

"Tim told me that I definitely have the talent to make a career as a racing driver and I must go out and do it."