A WORCESTERSHIRE workshop technician has swapped his wrench for a racing helmet as he prepares to defend his Britpart British Cross Country (BCC) Trophy title.

Bristol Street Motors Ford Worcester will be sponsoring the technician and reigning champion, Paul Harris, for the 2013 Britpart MSA British Cross Country Championship (BCCC).

The dealership has sponsored Harris for the upcoming BCCC season, after he funded last season’s achievement himself.

In only his first competitive season, Paul, from Upton-upon-Severn, exceeded expectations by taking the title in October 2012 after finishing the season with a total of 424 points, winning four out of the six rounds.

There will be a total of six race events this season, starting tomorrow at Pikes Peak in Wales. The season finishes with the final race on Saturday and Sunday, October 19-20, at Walters Arena in Glynneath, Wales.

Tony Trueman, general manager of Bristol Street Motors Ford Worcester, said: “Paul is an exemplary colleague, who always goes the extra mile for our customers, so it is great that we can help him out in this way.”

Harris said: “I am very grateful to the dealership at Worcester and Bristol Street Motors in general for supporting me with the kind sponsorship.

“I’ve always loved cars, ever since I was small, so motor mechanics is a life-long passion which was a fantastic career choice for me.”

The GSR Maxilight was bought by Harris as a bare frame two years ago and has been transformed into the championship winning off-road car of 2012.