TRAINEE solicitor Neil Harrison has been spending his spare time burning it up around some of Europe's top racetracks in the Monoposto Formula Three series.

The 24-year-old, who is completing his training in the agricultural and rural affairs department of MFG Solicitors in Worcester, races alongside brother Mark for the Magic Motorsport team.

The pair are following in the footsteps of father Nick, a veteran of motorsport, and Neil is happy to keep the family tradition alive.

"It's a pure adrenaline ru-sh," he said. "I have liked driving fast cars ever since I was a young boy and have always been around racecars because of my father."

Neil reaches speeds of 155mph in his Dallara two-litre car, which might explain why mum Alex doesn't follow his progress in person.

"Mum refuses to watch," he said. "She has been to one race to watch me and says she won't come again. It's strange because she always used to watch my dad racing.

"I guess it's just that mother-son thing."

Neil has been taking part in events for the past eight years. He started off in karting and then competed in the Formula Vauxhall Junior Champion-ship, the Renault juniors and various sprints and hill climbing championships.

The aim of the Monoposto Racing Club is to organise low cost single-seater racing for the club racer. Most of the cars are prepared by their owners and their friends. As a result, the club has a reputation for producing cars which are prepared to a very high standard by enthusiasts rather than the huge car manufacturers that grace the grids of Formula One.

"It is a series exclusively for racecars that are over four years old," said Neil. "Most of the teams are amateur although there are a couple of professional outfits."

The former King's School, Worcester pupil is also responsible for the engine rebuilds and general mechanics.

"I suppose I'm an all round grease monkey," he says, "but I prefer to be driving the thing."

And his bosses at MFG are happy to have him behind the wheel of the newly-branded car.

Iain Morrison, head of the agricultural and rural affairs division and marketing partner, said: "We are delighted to be able to support Neil with his racing hobby. It has caus-ed a lot of interest with our staff."

Last season, he finished fourth in the championship which Mark - five years his senior - won outright for the second consecutive year.

In 2007, he expects to do better and draw on his success of last year when, without competing in every race, he only once failed to finish in the top three.

"I stood on the podium nine times although always a step lower than Mark," said Neil. "I suppose sibling rivalry will spur me on this year.

"I have been working at MFG since last September after graduating from Cardiff University.

"I get time to work on the cars in the evening and race at weekend but sometimes have to take a day off."

The championship takes teams nationwide to tracks such as Castle Combe, Anglesey, Pembrey and Croft as well as Silverstone, Mallory Park, Rockingham and Snetterton. There is also a non-championship weekend in Spa, Belgium.

"A race can be very energetic and you emerge feeling battered and bruised because of the G-Force and being thrown about in the cockpit," said Neil.

"There is not a lot of padding in the cockpit and we don't ha-ve to be supermen."