THE speed, the thrills and the spills of championship slot car racing are roaring into Suffolk this weekend as nearly 60 competitors slog it out to find who has the sturdiest trigger finger.

THE speed, the thrills and the spills of championship slot car racing are roaring into Suffolk this weekend as nearly 60 competitors slog it out to find who has the sturdiest trigger finger.

The Elite Racing Services British Slotstox Championship will be held on Sunday at Great Blakenham Village Hall.

This mini version of Superstox racing, a popular feature of Ipswich's Foxhall Stadium, brings all the fun of the frantic motorsport – with 1/32 personally constructed models

People from all over the country – even from as far afield as Manchester and the Midlands – will be displaying their skills on a specially constructed indoor course to prove that there's more to the sport than just a Scalextric set in the loft.

The slot car bug is no respecter of age, said organiser Noel Whinney. His own club for fellow enthusiasts, Great Blakenham Slotstox Club, has members whose ages range from six to 66.

Although there has been a slot car club in Ipswich for 18 years, the Great Blakenham outfit has only been running for 18 months so hosting the British championships is a real coup.

"It's great fun and the club has really taken off. The sport itself is quite old as Scalextric started building sets in."

"Each car is self-made with plastic and other materials and a bit of Superglue," explained Mr Whinney, 29, of Station Yard, Needham Market. "There's different body shapes and people all havetheir individual paint schemes."

As well as a host of trophies and shields on offer, the overall champion will receive the honour of wearing the prestigious black and white checks on the roof of his winning car – as happens in the real thing.

Formula 2 and Superstox car builders Elite Racing Services are sponsoring the event, and the organisers would be pleased to welcome any supporters who want to come and cheer the racers on.

The event starts at noon on Sunday and will continue until around 6pm.