A YOUNG apprentice who built a racing car in his shed and turned the hobby into a successful career is once again being supported with sponsorship.

The Learning and Skills Council has announced its continued sponsorship of the Chiron Supersports car designed and built by Henry Nickless.

The 27-year-old spent two years designing and making the Chiron car, which competes in National Supersports races around the country.

Now, by sponsoring the Chiron for the fourth year under its apprenticeship programme, the local LSC is hoping Henry can replicate his Dunlop Supersports successes of 2003 and 2004 when, driven by Stephen Shanley, the car took successive championships.

Working from his family farm in Broadheath, engineer Henry Nickless's business has gone from strength to strength since he gained an engineering apprenticeship at Flowserve International in Pershore.

In addition to the building and maintenance of the Chiron Racing Team, which now comprises three cars, Henry has established a strong export business and is currently building cars for export to motor enthusiasts from as far afield as America and Australia.

Commenting on the season ahead, which gets under way at Donington Park on Sunday, April 24, Henry said: "We are very grateful to the LSC for continued sponsorship in 2005. We have another fantastic and challenging season ahead of us and hope, once again, to be in poll position."

Vanessa Winters, marketing and communications manager at the local LSC welcomed the opportunity to align the apprenticeship brand with such a success story.

"Our research tells us that more than one in four employers rates apprenticeships as the most valuable qualification and Henry is a superb example of how the the programme offers real opportunities for both employers and trainees," she said.

"More than 4,000 local businesses are finding apprenticeships invaluable in acquiring the breadth and depth of skills required to remain competitive."