THERE may not be the roar of the Formula One cars, but a mini-Silverstone taking shape in Ipswich.After six years of hard work and waiting, the Coastal Model Car Racing Club (CMCRC) is finally getting the track it has always wantedEvery other Sunday, enthusiasts from the club with ages ranging from seven years old to over 50 meet to race their cars on the high tech new track.

THERE may not be the roar of the Formula One cars, but a mini-Silverstone taking shape in Ipswich.

After six years of hard work and waiting, the Coastal Model Car Racing Club (CMCRC) is finally getting the track it has always wanted

Every other Sunday, enthusiasts from the club with ages ranging from seven years old to over 50 meet to race their cars on the high tech new track.

So far £12,500 has been spent on the track which has been fitted with specialist equipment which can measure lap times to the accuracy of a hundredth of a second.

Barry Hughes, the club co-ordinator, said: "We have financed the building of our own track without lottery grants and the members have put in the hard work and prepared the land and are now completing the track."

The CMCRC, which is a voluntary organisation, raised the money for the track from sponsorship deals with companies in the area.

Fork Rent, who hire out heavy lifting and digging machinery, lent equipment to the club for free and Galaxy Models in Felixstowe gave the club a small loan.

Members, who range from seven-years-old to over 50, meet every other Sunday to race their cars on the new track.

Mr Hughes said the club has nearly 100 members at different levels of expertise from beginners to professionals who are sponsored by car manufacturers.

He said the sport has become increasingly popular. "The number of clubs are growing and more tracks are being built in the UK."

There are also national and world championship tournaments of which a driver from the UK has been triple world champion.

For more information visit the club's website at www.cmcrc.co.uk