By Fiona Cooper

Motoring enthusiast Michael Humphreys produced a giant-killing performance in his 15-year-old car to reach the final of a major racing driver talent competition.

Michael, from Sittingbourne, turned up for a track day at the Bedford Autodrome in his £2,000 Peugeot 106 Rallye to find he would be up against drivers in far superior vehicles.

The day was run by tyre manufacturer Dunlop and performance car magazine evo.

Michael said: "I was mildly confident, but when I turned up in my little Peugeot and saw the other cars I thought maybe I was being a bit optimistic!

"Even with what I've spent on it since I bought it seven years ago, it shouldn't be any match for some of the cars that were out there."

But despite the competition, the 26-year-old recruitment consultant's driving so impressed one of the judges - British Touring Car driver Steven Kane - that he was voted through to the final of Dunlop's Race Academy competition at Silverstone next Wednesday.

If he wins, Michael will be given his racing chance with a paid-for drive in Dunlop's Sport Maxx Cup race series at the wheel of a race-tuned Nissan 370Z sportscar.

"I just hope I can do a decent job in the final - that first prize is amazing," he said.

Mr Kane said the final for Michael will be a bit like taking part in Britain's biggest singing contest.

"It's going to be like the final of X Factor with the BTCC drivers versus the evo staff as judges and all fighting our own chosen driver's corner," he said.

"So I'm going to be like a Cheryl Cole for Michael! He's a real find. He displayed a very smooth approach and great consistency with his lines and throttle and brake control.

"He's definitely got what it takes to go all the way in the final."