MOTORSPORT: DAVE Mitchell's champion-ship ambitions are up and down - literally.

The 39-year-old motorcycle racer has moved into a challenging position in the 600cc competition he is contesting, but his fortunes have dipped in the 125 event.

Mitchell made his mark in his first season in the East Midlands Racing Association (EMRA) club championships. He is now at the halfway stage in both the six-race events following mixed fortunes at Mallory Park.

He crashed in the first 125 race. Although he and his Honda escaped virtually undamaged, it was not the case with his standing.

Mitchell, who lives at Winsford, slipped from second overall after the first two rounds to fourth.

'It is such a close championship, if you miss one race then you suffer. I was only a couple of points behind the lead but all the front men have had off days,' he said.

His smile was restored, however, in the two 600cc races in which he finished fifth and third on his Yamaha. He moves from eighth to sixth. The EMRA season is now in recess until July, allowing Mitchell to concentrate on his business, CIR Transport, which organises the tour arrangements of rock bands.

He added: 'Overall, I am happy with my performance so far. It was a shame about the spill but I am in position where I can challenge.'

OULTON Park stages the second race in the Aston Martin Owners Club season on Monday.

Competitions chairman John Goldsmith promises a programme to suit everyone.

'You can enjoy the nostalgia and the tradition of the veteran prewar models and you can marvel at the sleek lines and top speeds of the modern V8s,' he said.

'Or you can simply soak up the electric atmosphere as these elegant machines roar past you at speeds of near-on 100mph.'

The Owners Club also hosts races for a number of other models of racing cars, including Austin Healeys, Triumphs and MGs, promising spectacle and thrills.

The flag goes up on the racing at 1pm.

WINNERS of the Chronicle BTCC free tickets competition were:

Mrs E Shaw, Kingsway, Winsford; Neil Cornes, Tabley Close, Sand-bach; Trevor Jones, Manchester Road, Northwich; Steve Corcoran, Dart Walk, Winsford; Sarah Aylott, Hollybank Close, Winnington; G Jones, Old Vicarage Lane, Hartford; C Jeffs, Chester Road, North-wich; Ryan Mather, Cross Lane, Middlewich.

Winners of the Chronicle-Seat competition were:

Barry Bishop, Weaver Street, Winsford, and Pauline Carless, Mather Drive, Comberbach.