A PROMISING teenager has scooped an award for most improved motor racing driver in a national competition.

Michal Rzadkiewicz, of Goodhart Way, West Wickham, won the Spirit Award in the AVO Ginetta GT Junior Championships in recognition of his achievements in the contest.

He was presented with a trophy and a framed painting of his Ginetta G20 GT4 race car at a celebratory bash held in Birmingham last week.

The 16-year-old, who finished fifth out of 11 in the series, said: "It was amazing to get the award. It has proved I did something well and it has given me a boost of confidence.

"Having confidence, being daring and determined is the ideal combination to being a good racing driver."

Michal had no previous experience of competitive racing when he started the championship in July and he had his fair share of ups and downs throughout the 12 rounds.

During his first competitive race in Crois-en-Ternois, France, he was pushed off the track by an overtaking competitor, resulting in the race being terminated.

In another race, he cheated injury when his car engine blew up and in a practice session he ground to a halt just five metres away from a brick wall after skidding into a sweeping left corner at 80mph.

Michal, who confesses the sport has made him popular with the ladies, said: "It was a bit gutting when things went wrong, but this is the kind of sport where you just need to pick yourself up and keep going.

"Confidence is key if you are mentally weak you won't succeed. Luckily, when my engine blew up the technicians managed to fit a new one in time for the next race."

But the schoolboy, of Langley Park School for Boys, Hawsbrook Lane, Beckenham has come away from the contest with an overall good track record.

Michal said: "It's a dangerous sport and I love the thrill of it. The fear factor is great.

"The adrenaline rush you get just as the lights are counting down the race is amazing.

"I always feel nervous before a race, sometimes to the point of being sick, but when I get psyched up it's all good.

"Being a racing driver is also a good line to tell the girls. I'm seeing someone at the moment."

The event, a spin-off from the established AVO Ginetta Championships and staged by the British Automobile Racing Club, was launched last year giving young drivers the chance to take their first steps into competitive motor racing at an affordable price.

Michal, who is the only child of parents Leszek, 50, and Graz, 45, has received warm words from Martin Phaff, one of the supremos at Ginetta Cars.

Mr Phaff said: "Michal has made tremendous progress throughout the championship.

"He consistently improved race-after-race showing the right attitude, commitment and enthusiasm are just as necessary as the driving skills."

Michal has loved motor racing since he was four-years-old when he began going to watch races with his dad.

After getting his Association of Racing Drivers' Schools certificate aged 14, Michal signed up for the championships last March and began his training in South Wales.

He is already looking forward to this year's championship, which begin in April, where he hopes to achieve a podium position.

He dreams of pursuing motor racing as a professional career or at least as a really serious' hobby and he would love to drive in the 24-hour Le Mans race in France.