SAMBOURNE speedster Gordon Matthew is in a race against time to get his car ready for the second round of the Auto-sport Caterham Road-sport Challenge at Brands Hatch.

Matthew developed serious problems with the Rover engine in his Caterham during testing a fortnight ago.

And with contestants unable to tamper with or repair engines the Caterham engineers were called in.

"They told us part of the engine had overheated and the pistons had been hitting the casing damaging it," said press officer Mandy Matthew.

"We have been told the engine will be ready for Friday's testing day.

"Gordon will have to take the car out for two or three laps before checking everything and going out again.

"It is only then we will know if he can compete on Sunday. But if the engine clears up he will hopefully notice a big difference in the power."

Matthew, in his second year of racing, is hoping to improve on 16th place in the opening round at Snetterton.