IT can reach speeds of up to 70mph, weighs the same as a mobile phone, and you probably wouldn't notice if it passed you on the motorway.

The radio controlled Hot Rod is one-twelfth the size of a real car and is now the winning vehicle of a racing world champion.

For more than 35 years Hampshire dad Chris Wilkinson has been racing radio controlled cars and now he has been crowned the best in the world for the 1:12 Hot Rod Championships.

"It's a dream come true," said the sales manager from Hedge End.

Hobby "It started off as a hobby when I was a child and I had model boats.

"But I started getting competitive and enjoyed the speed of racing radio controlled cars."

Chris, 42, who lives in Hedge End with his wife Caroline and 12-year-old son Josh, took the world title in the championship finals held in Hereford earlier this month.

Following a series of qualifying rounds Chris, who was previously British champion in 1988, started second on the grid out of eight finalists in the final round.

"The driver who had pole position spun out on the first corner so I went into first place and stayed there for the entire race," he said.

For each race drivers have five minutes to go round an electronically monitored circuit where their laps and distance are closely counted. The operator who travels the most in the five minutes is the winner.

"It's a very serious and professional competition and is carried out similar to real Formula 1 racing," said Chris.

Each driver is given the same motor to use before the race and only little modifications can be made to the car so everyone has a fair chance," he said, Chris, who is chairman of the Southampton Radio Controlled Model Car Club, said the hobby is growing in popularity.

"It's not as expensive as other interests and sports and people can start up with their own gear for about £150," he said.

The club meets every two weeks at a racetrack behind The Plough pub in Portsmouth Road, Bursledon and welcomes new members.

"There are quite a few different types of cars too, from the Hot Rods which are battery powered to the internal combustion engine cars which run on petrol and are more expensive but really can move."

"It is a great sport and hobby that people are serious and competitive about."