THE outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease failed to stop a village farm being turned into a motor racing track this weekend for one of Europe's biggest car events.

Competitors from across Europe came together to compete in the 2001 National Autograss Championships at Carrsides Farm, Rushyford, County Durham.

Despite the event being arranged at short notice because of the foot and mouth crisis, hundreds of drivers and spectators travelled to the region to take part.

Event chairman Rob Mayo said: "The Dales Autograss League took on the task of bringing the event to the North-East late in 2000, already very short notice by normal standards. When foot and mouth disease struck across the area, all autograss racing in the country stopped and so did the preparations for the nationals.

"Although the chosen site was never directly affected by the outbreak it would have been thoughtless and risky to carry on, so we sat and waited."

By June, the organisation could restart, and by the end of the month competitors were informed that the race would be held in Rushyford.

Drivers aged from 12 to 60, both male and female, took part in the competition in a variety of cars from standard 1000cc Minis to specialist cars powered by motorbike engines.

They raced around the quarter-of-a-mile-long track in four and eight-lap heats and were eventually whittled down to one champion driver.

Unlike many other sports, the competitors in this competition are simply in it for the love of the race.

Mr Mayo said: "This is an entirely amateur sport, not one person at any level takes any money from it and it is governed from the bottom up, the administrators are also competitors.

"We call ourselves the affordable motor sport. It is possible for an entire family to buy a car and race a full season for under £1,500, including travel and fuel and they'll still have the car for next year."

Four hundred cars and drivers were in Country Durham this weekend to fight for victory, including fifteen from the North-East.

Read more about the Foot-and-Mouth crisis here.