A driving school with a difference has set up in Yorkshire - and Huddersfield Examiner reporter Jenny Parkin went along to try it out.

Jenny Parkin gets to grips with a Subaru. Photo: Andy Catchpool

It's different because it lets people drive a fast rally car around a woodland track.

Rally School GB, in Tong, plans to host corporate days out and sessions for groups of friends, so Jenny went along for a session that included three runs around the track, as well as demonstrations and expert guidance, available for an all-in £185.

And after a half-hour safety briefing and guidance on the techniques of rallying, she was ready to hit the road.

Rally drivers wear a helmet and are securely strapped, because the turbo Group N cars can do 60mph in second gear.

Jenny with instructor Andy James

Jenny (above) told readers: "Hands must stay clamped to 9pm and 3pm on the steering wheel and arms should cross when you turn a corner. There's no gently feeding the wheel through your hands here.

"And, with your instructor in the passenger seat, you're away, learning techniques such as lift off oversteer and powerslides."

Even the ducks were faster...

"With tentative me, advice was mainly: 'Put your foot down ... no, I mean, really put your foot down!' and 'Clutch in! Clutch in!' as I did my best to stop flinching, and hurtle as fast as I dared.

"The top speed reachable on the straights is 125mph. But sploshing through puddles, sending gravel spinning, and bouncing over potholes at much lower speeds is still thrilling."

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail pastill@nep.co.uk