A Sandbach racing driver is swapping his helmet for spanners as he gets back to work after a weekend of motor racing.

Pete back at work at the garage in Congleton Road today (Tuesday) after a weekend at Goodwood.

Twenty-five year old Pete De La Roche runs The Smithy garage in Congleton Road, Sandbach with his dad, mum and brother Harry.

By day, he is a hands-on mechanic but his past-time is motor racing and at the weekend he was at the famous Goodwood track in Sussex in the Chichester Cup.

The talented driver sadly clashed wheels with another car as he raced ahead in pole position at Goodwood Revival – the fourth time he has competed there.

"It was a bit unfortunate," said Pete. "I would have had it in the bag but unfortunately I clashed wheels with the back marker and span off into the barrier."

Pete, who competed at Oulton Park earlier this year and is a former pupil of Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, is now looking forward to racing at Silverstone in October.

"Goodwood is a nice track to race on and I have done it several times before.

"It's weird – I used to get very nervous before a race but now I don't.

"The speed on some tracks is just unreal but you get used to it.

"As soon as I put my helmet on everything goes out of my mind and I am just concentrating on racing," said Pete, who has a simulator at home.

The avid motor racing driver works out in the gym sometimes, as he points out the lighter a driver is the potentially faster the car is able to go.

"I've always loved cars. It's just something in my blood. My dad taught me to race and I just love it," says Pete who drives a BMW 4 series.