A BARNSLEY racing driver is back behind the wheel, competing in one of the world’s biggest races - and all with the help of a local company.

Mutli-award winning racer Christian England, who grew up on Park Road, Silkstone, found his passion for the sport on Wombwell’s go karting track, on Station Road, aged just eight.

Go karting turned into motor racing and in 2002 and 2003, Christian was nominated for the McLaren Autosport young driver award. His promising racing career skidded to a halt in 2003 when he was unable to secure funding to compete.

He moved into the restaurant and hotel business, leaving racing in the dust.

But last year, all that changed when Jason Mace, managing director of Wath-based Gala Tent, stepped in to help fund Christian’s return to the grid, as part of Leeds’ United Autosports.

Read more in this weeks Barnsley Chronicle