Cumnor's Tim Greaves is set to tackle one of the world's greatest challenges when competes in the Le Mans 24-hour race, which starts today.

o And Greaves is in the driving seat in more ways than one.

As well as being one of the three drivers of the Team Bruichladdich Radical car, he is a co-owner of the Radical company that makes the Le Mans prototype car - the SR9'.

He also has a business interest in Bruichladdich, the Islay distillery which is the title sponsor for the Le Mans event.

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the famous race, where cars drive for 24 hours on the 8.47 mile circuit which is mainly on closed public roads.

Greaves will be reaching around 190mph on the fastest part of the circuit in an open-top car, powered by a two-litre turbo-charged engine.

Team Bruichladdich Radical won its first podium in the SR9 at a six-hour race in Spain last month and so is ready for the challenge of the full 24 hour epic.

Greaves said: "Le Mans has to be the goal for any sportscar fan. It's such a unique event. Around 70,000 Brits go to watch and for spectators it's one long party.

"It'll be much harder as a driver, but rewarding when we hopefully cross the line at 3pm on Sunday afternoon. We're all ready to go.

"The week started with scrutineering and autograph signing in Le Mans.

"One of the highlights in the preparations is going to be the drivers parade when we go round the city streets on vintage cars with unbelievable crowds cheering the drivers on.

"I watched last year as Stuart raced in the SR9, but this is going to be my first chance to drive in the race, to drive in a race at night and the first time my own team will compete there.

"The six-hour races have been good practice, but this is the real thing, and I really hope to bring back a trophy."