MOTORSPORT: FIREMAN Steve Johnson is enjoying another successful motorsport season in his Nissan Micra.

With the competition building up to a nervous ending, Steve is currently second in class in the ANWCC Stage Rally Championships 1300 category after 18 rounds - a great result considering his car is a 1000cc engine.

But the big boost for Steve is that he is sixth in the Rally Championship's overall - where he is up against cars with two litre engines.

"That is the icing on the cake for me, it is marvellous really as I am up against everyone and anyone," admitted Steve, whose co-driver is Steve Butler.

There are 21 rounds in the Championship with just three rounds left.

Round 18 was at High Moor last weekend with Steve finishing 29th overall; second the 1300cc class and first F1000 car home.

His daughter Heather - who hasn't done enough of the events to qualify for the championships - was 37th overall, fourth in the 1300 class and second F1000 car home. Her co-driver is Dave Barratt.

Steve is also currently setting the pace as the joint leader in the SD34 championships - a competition he won for the first time last year and is looking to defend.

This is the best six or seven results out of 12 rounds.

And, in what has been a good season so far, the Accrington fireman won the inaugural Three Sisters Challenge.

It consisted of three stage rallies, for cars up to 1000cc, which were held in March, May and October and he was first in his class twice and second once, to clinch the overall title.

"I almost got my entry money back," he joked, as he was given a cash reward for winning the event.

Meanwhile Accrington Motor Club and CSMA North West are holding a meeting tonight at Accrington Cricket Club (8pm) in a bid to introduce people to motorsport and rally marshalling and timekeeping.

This is in preparation for - as well as Autosolo events - a night road rally which will be held at the end of October, starting at Blackburn Services, and covering 150 miles.

Anyone interested in finding out more about motorsport, just turn up at the cricket club.