A FORDHAM woman is competing to be selected as one of the top 16 female racing drivers in the UK this week – despite holding a driving licence for just two years. Mother of two Kerry Surridge, 36, fought off competition from more than 1,300 women to make

A FORDHAM woman is competing to be selected as one of the top 16 female racing drivers in the UK this week - despite holding a driving licence for just two years.

Mother of two Kerry Surridge, 36, fought off competition from more than 1,300 women to make it through preliminary rounds, and is one of 500 battling for a place in the 2007 Formula Woman Novice Championship.

If she is successful this week, Mrs Surridge will join the final 100 for an elimination round in June. The top three will obtain a free season and the other 13 will seek sponsorship.

Mrs Surridge said: "I am determined to make it into the top 16 and I'm confident that I can secure one of the three scholarship drives available. It's funny because I've never been into cars before, but I went to an autosport show with my husband, where someone asked me about taking part and I just thought it would be a really exciting and unusual challenge."

The assessment will be based mainly on driving skills, but also covers fitness, motorsport know-ledge and the ability to generate media coverage.

The top 16 will race 1.6k series Rover-engined Caterham Seven cars, reaching top speeds of around 120mph.

The championship will consist of eight races at circuits throughout the UK, including Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Silverstone.

Formula Woman is the only female motor racing championship in Britain.

It was founded in 2004, has staged two championships and broken the Guinness World Record for the most women to take part in a motor racing event.

Mrs Surridge said: "It has not been easy for Formula Woman to become established, because motor racing is traditionally a man's sport and I really relish the idea of being part of this pioneering championship.