A RACE ace has won 18 trophies in autograss on the way to becoming a national champion.

Laura Morgan, of Red Marley, only took up the sport last year at the age of 27 and bought her own car - a class two Nova - at the end of 2005.

She went on to finish second at a major meeting, the Midland Autograss Promotions Open, and first at her club in Radford as well as winning the league.

Morgan, who works in back care, was women's class two British champion and third out of 104 overall nationally following three round victories in the British Autograss Series (BAS).

She managed two BAS champion of champions victories and then took national honours in Gloucestershire after borrowing a friend's trailer at the last minute when her own was stolen.

Morgan, who previously raced friend Andy Lee's class one Mini, said: "It was a big risk. I hadn't even a spanner to my name!

"New friends rallied round and got me on the road for 2006 and my dad was nominated mechanic. The season has just finished and I have amazed myself. It has been the best year of my life.

"I achieved everything I had hoped for so I am selling my Nova so I can try my hand next year in a new car - a purpose-built class eight special."

See a picture of Laura Morgan with her car in Thursday's Worcester News.