A HARTLEBURY driving ace is aiming to build on his strong start to the Fun Cup Endurance series when he races in the second round at Snetterton on Saturday.

The 19-year-old made an impressive start in round one at Rockingham when he secured a podium finish by coming third.

The Fun Cup was launched in the UK in 2002, with the objective of providing cost effective, close, exciting and above all, good fun racing for all teams competing.

Originally conceived in Belgium, the competition is based on the success of endurance karting.

As well as series in the UK and Belgium, it now runs in France, Italy, Germany and Spain with the USA next in line.

From small beginnings, the series has taken off to massive success with more than 160 cars on the grid for the Spa 25 hour race and regular grids topping 50 cars in Europe.

The cars are race designed, single-seaters, with super-strong space frame chassis’.

Ashby, whose hero is British Touring Car star Matt Neil, is driving this year with Track Torque Racing of Rudgate, North Yorkshire, in their car 104.

Despite the new team of Alex Ashby, Barry Linley and Jerry Hampshire only meeting for the first time at a track day at Donnington in March, they have already formed an effective partnership.

Ashby, who was finalist in 2007's Fun Cup Scholarship, and his team-mates started the season solidly by securing eighth on the grid.

Hampshire got them off to a solid start, while Ashby's first stint behind the wheel saw him negotiate tough driving.

Despite a problem with the gear box, the car continued to progress and the team finished in third place.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Alex Ashby can call his father on 07887 543 695.