STRATFORD'S favoured speed zone, Shakespeare Cou-nty Raceway at Long Marston is all geared up for a busy weekend for the track's annual season opening Test & Tune.

It's all systems go for Cheltenham-based drag ace Ian Hook as his team of top mechanics are working flat out to complete the winter rebuild of their eight-second accelerating street legal 1934 Ford Coupe 'hot

rod' in time for this opening track test.

The weekend also sees round one of the National Street Car Challenge - an event Hook has been hoping to race for several years.

Hook, who survived a high-speed 160mph crash at Santa Pod,has installed a new Powerglide transmission gearbox to bolster the rebuilt engine.

The team, though, is still waiting for vital internal engine components to transform the Ford into a real show and go machine. However, whatever the outcome, the guys are hopeful of firing the car up before leaving for Shakespeare County Raceway tomorrow.

The Warwickshire drag strip will be open for business all weekend for timed runs for competitive drivers and 'wanna-be racers' on the production of a valid DVLC licence and crash helmet.

"The weekend promises to be as busy as a national event," said PR man Jeremy Cookson. "Already, many of the country's leading teams have expressed interest in attending the weekend's test in readiness for next weekend's National Champion-ship opener at Santa Pod."

Action starts at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday.