COUNTY Durham rally driver Chris Anderson is looking forward to improving on the best result of his career as he prepares for the ALM Autodrome Stages Rally at South Tees Motorsport Park near Middlesbrough on May 4.

Last time out, the 17-year-old maintenance engineer and fellow Durham Auto Club co-driver Chris Thirling, claimed 20th overall and sixth in class as well as winning the best improvers award on the Howford Hydraulics Tarmac Stages Rally at Ingliston near Edinburgh two weeks ago.

Anderson has been testing the former Guy Wilks Ford Puma S1600 in preparation for the event under the watchful eye of rally coach Chris Birkbeck.

"The tuition I have received from Chris has been great, he said. He has been giving me a few pointers and showing me how to get the best out of the car. I hope to put that to good use, especially as I know what the surface is like as I've tested the car at the venue in the past."

Limited to just 40 crews and aimed at the lesser experienced competitors, the organisers, Whickham and District Motor Club are hoping the inaugural event will be a success and hope to make it an annual fixture on the North-East calendar.

The competition starts at 9.15am with crews tackling a total of 12 stages totaling around 25 miles.