By Martyn Herman.

Loughton motor racing enthusiast Richard Mendoza launches his challenge in the Kent County Formula Ford championship on Monday armed with a new car.

For the 1998 season Mendoza has bought a ZETEC engined Swift 95 car which he hopes will give him a much better chance of honours.

As well as the normal rounds of the Kent County Championship which are raced at Lydden Hill and Brands Hatch he will also compete in one round in Croix-en-Ternois in France.

He also has his sights set on the prestigious Formula Ford World Cup finals at the end of the season.

He said: The new car should be worth about two seconds a lap so I should be more competitive this season with a bit of luck.

Mendoza will once again be racing to raise money for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund a charity he has already raised over £10,000 for thanks to his pounds for points scheme.

Mondays meeting at Brands Hatch will also see a demonstration of a selection of 3.5 litre Formula One cars including Tyrrells, Footworks and a Pacific plus a 1988 Lola Indy Car.

Racing starts at Brands Hatch at 1.30pm.

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