BANGER racing is being taken into the classroom as a group of teenagers learn there is more to lessons than your ABC.The youths, all aged between 14 and 16 have been race preparing the cars ready for them to be driven on Saturday night at Foxhall Stadium in the Rookie Banger formula.

BANGER racing is being taken into the classroom as a group of teenagers learn there is more to lessons than your ABC.

The youths, all aged between 14 and 16 have been race preparing the cars ready for them to be driven on Saturday night at Foxhall Stadium in the Rookie Banger formula.

The Nacro learners, as they are known, attend the centre for vocational and skills training as part of their overall education.

Many of them have difficulties in mainstream schools and the training is helping to build their confidence and provide support.

Steve Bassingthwaighte , is the motor vehicles lecturer at Suffolk College and said the work has been really successful.

"Schools from all over the area send the teenagers to us and I have no more than 15 in a class so places are quite limited.

"It is for kids struggling with school and it really makes a difference to them. I have seen them come to me not being able to do maths and then because we use calculations in our work their head teachers phone us in amazement that they can now do calculations.

"It builds their confidence up and is something fun for them to focus on.

"We chose banger racing because it is very hot on health and safety and this is important for them to know this."

Mark Firmin, a mechanic and church leader will also be racing on Saturday in one of the cars.

"The project has been a great way of teaching motor mechanics to young people who are largely disaffected with school.

"Assuming the race night goes well, the plan is to make this a rolling programme of vehicle preparation and racing," he explained.