Bristol Observer deputy editor Maija Pykett swapped the newsroom for a racing track when she went rally driving at Brean Leisure Park.

For a reporter who knows nothing about rally cars and is renowned by her family for fear of fairground rides, it proved quite a challenge.

So with fear rather than anticipation, Maija (below) turned up for a trial spin for the Regency Stages Rally 2003.

And before she could change her mind, Maija was helmeted and strapped up tightly in a blue striped rally car next to driver Dave Westlake.

He talked her through the various knobs and dials on the dashboard, with all the information, she said, going in one ear and out the other.

She said: “All that is, apart from the automatic fire extinguisher which I eye attentively and flexed my sweaty fingers in readiness to activate.

“And then we were off. As we sped around the track, I gripped the sides of the seats, my knuckles white, my eyes squeezed tightly shut until we stopped.

“I opened my eyes in relief – I’d survived. Then I realised we’d only reached the starting line.”

As Dave started to rev up his Escort, a man leaned down to his window and counted down with his fingers – then it was three…two…one… and off!

Maija said: “Dave put his foot down and after a nanosecond of stationary wheel-spinning the car lurched forward at such speed I was shocked into keeping my eyes wide open. Wow!

“I squealed, I couldn’t breath, and then, surprise, surprise, just as we slid to a halt at the finish, I started to enjoy myself.

“‘Again’ was all I managed to say. So Dave drove back to the start. Straight down the track we raced, the car seeming to take off slightly as we hit small stones. Brilliant. I loved it.”

Then when they reached the end she scrambled out of the Escort, straight into the Rover, where driver Duncan soon managed to dampen her bravado.

He told her: “If I was going to have an accident, I rather have one in this car than on a fairground ride.”

Not too reassuring for the adrenaline-filled deputy editor.

This time the car seemed more out of control, skidding and sliding around the track – but still she felt driver Duncan was always in control.

Maija said: “What a ride. The Monday morning cobwebs were well and truly swept away. And I’m beginning to reassess my cowardly persona. Teacups… pah! Just show me the big wheel…”

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