FOR years they were in the motoring wilderness, all revved up with nowhere to go.

But the sight, if not the sound, of pint-sized Porsches and miniature Mercedes will again be seen in Southampton now that the city's radio-controlled car enthusiasts are back on the road.

Things hit the crash barrier when angry residents in Weston complained about the annoying tinny whirr of the petrol-controlled cars.

The sound of tiny racing cars, which hit speeds of up to 45mph, literally drove neighbours at the Weston Shore track round the bend.

The city council put the brakes on the group and shut the track in 1997.

Now, after three years in the pits, Southampton Radio-Controlled Model Car Club is back on the starting grid with a brand new track at a Hampshire pub.

And noise should not be a problem now that the club has converted from thundering petrol to almost silent electric engines.

The outdoor circuit at The Plough Inn, Bursledon, was built after group members raised £10,000.

Club chairman Neil Martin said: "The pub in Portsmouth Road has given us the lease for the land where we will be based and Eastleigh Borough Council gave us planning permission.

"We used to race petrol-driven cars which were very noisy but that will no longer be an issue.

"There are 58 members of the club and we have had to travel to other venues around the country for the last three years to race.

"We raised £10,000 which has enabled us to build this new track but we still need £2,800 more to buy a hi-tech lap counter. In return, we will put the sponsor's name all around the miniature circuit on race days and on club T-shirts and other material."

Races will be held once a fortnight with the first taking place this Sunday.

The club will also hold a free display at Southampton Car Supermarket, Bursledon Road, Thornhill, on Saturday, May 6.

More details about the group from Mr Martin on 0976 786556.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.