A FOREST autograss ace will demonstrate his skills at the country’s leading motorsport show this weekend.

Carl Ray of Whitecroft will rub shoulders with some of the country’s leading drivers, including Formula One stars, at the Autosport International show in Birmingham.

The 33-year-old vehicle technician comes from a family of motorsport fanatics – dad Gary started racing some 30 years ago and brother Dan has just graduated from the junior section.

Carl will take part in an exhibition race in his car which is powered by two motorbike engines and on a test track reached 187.5mph in 9.1 seconds.

He said: “I can’t wait for the show, it is absolutely massive.

“There’s every shape of motorsport and the stars will be there including F1 drivers.”

Carl has won many cups and competes at the highest level of autograss which is raced on an oval track with speeds reaching around 110mph – and much of it while travelling sideways.

Last year he competed in 23 races around the country, travelling as far as Kent and Yorkshire.

He said: “It’s fantastic but a lot of races can be won in the workshop so I spend a lot of time on the car.

“I work on it about four or five nights a week and after every race I clean the car, do a full spanner check and change the oil and filters – it won’t leave the workshop unless it’s 100 per cent.”

Autosport International is open to the public at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday (January 16 and 17).