Sussex racing driver Mark Sumpter is about to embark on his most ambitious season of racing.

Together with Mike Jordan, they will race a Porsche 911GT3RS in the FIA GT Championship, going head to head with the best teams and drivers in international GT racing.

With backing from Paragon Porsche, the car will contest all ten races of the championship, travelling all over Europe. From the Czech Republic in the east, to Portugal in the west, it is a big challenge.

For Sumpter, from Five Ashes in East Sussex, and Jordan, it is a chance to renew the successful partnership that took them to the British GTO title in 2001.

Having won regularly in British GT racing, there was really only one logical choice for the 2003 season. At the pinnacle of international GT racing stands the FIA GT Championship, packed full of top cars, teams and drivers.

British fans get to see the action with a round at Donington Park at the end of June. Add in circuits like Monza, Magny Cours and Barcelona and it is not difficult to see the appeal of the championship.

Sumpter said: "We only know a couple of the tracks, so it is a steep learning curve. But we've got a first class car and a really strong team, so I think we can go well."

Two Sussex drivers will be on the grid when Britain's most vibrant and successful national-level racing championship, the Volkswagen Racing Cup, gets under way this weekend.

In action at Rockingham in Northamptonshire for the opening rounds will be experienced Northiam-based racer Craig Inskip and newcomer Dan Taylor, from Haywards Heath.

British Championship Moto Cross heads to Sussex next Sunday when the Horsham Motorcycle Club host the second round of the Sidecar Cross Championship at Winterpick Farm, Plummers Plain, near Horsham.

Seventeen of the country's top charioteers will battle it out in their quest to be British champion.

Winterpick Farm will be sign posted from the B2110, racing starts at 11am. Admission for adults is £10, children under 16 free and car parking is free.