Bowen of Sibford Ferris won an MG ZR scholarship in 2004 and he performed well last season in the British Rally Championship Stars of the Future competition, as well as the MG ZR Championship, which run alongside each other.

The 22-year-old, who also does part-time modelling, proved a success in and out of the car after being chosen as the championship's best looking driver by British Rally Championship magazine.

Bowen finished second in the MG ZR championship last season and he was sixth out of the 20 racers competing in the BRC's Stars of the Future.

He is entering the same two competitions this season and the first rally is the 'Astra Stages' in Wales on Saturday.

Bowen's father Patrick said his son developed a liking for the sport when they lived in Australia.

"He always wanted to do rallying and he used to go and watch Rally Australia and that was right at our back door," he said.

"What he'd like to do is win the MG ZR championship and win the Stars of the Future. That could put him in with a chance of progressing to something better next year."

Anyone interested in sponsoring Tom can contact Patrick Bowen on 01295 780116.

- Follow Tom's progress throughout the season in the Banbury Guardian.