ANDOVER-based Tomas Scheckter has arrived in the high-powered world of Formula One as test driver for Jaguar Racing.

The South African, who lives in Laverstoke with his world-title winning father Jody, has just been formally introduced to the world press as test driver of Jaguar Racing's R2 Formula One car.

Along with race drivers Eddie Irvine and Luciano Burti, Scheckter was presented as one of the team who aim to make the new car a Formula One pace-setter after a disappointing F1 comeback in 2000.

Former American champion and now Jaguar chief Bobby Rahal explained that it will be Scheckter's role to carry out the majority of the development work on the new car.

As test driver and reserve race driver, the youngster, who was runner-up in last season's British Formula 3 Championship, will be pounding out the miles between races to hone the handling of the car and extract the maximum performance from the R2 chassis.

The testing role was fulfilled last year by Burti, who made his F1 debut at the Austrian Grand Prix when one of the Jaguar drivers was unable to complete.

And Scheckter knows that he will be thrust into the firing line this summer if either Jordan or Burti are unfit to drive.

"I'm really looking forward to 2001," said 20-year-old Tomas.

"It will be an opportunity for me to prove to the team that I have the technical understanding and the speed to do the new Jaguar R2 full justice.

"Also, I won't forget that Luciano spent last season as the test driver for Jaguar Racing and he is now their race driver!

"I'm going to spend this year learning as much as possible about Formula One in preparation for future seasons."

Scheckter first drove a Formula One car at Silverstone last August when he took to the track in a Jaguar R1 and impressed the team with his technical feedback.

As well as his test duties this season, he is keen to fit a racing programme into his busy 2001 schedule.

l Winchester Motor Cycle Club are promoting a meeting for quad and solo machines at Peak Down in Swanmore on Sunday.

First race will be at 10.30am and the venue is signposted from the B3035 Bishop's Waltham to Corhampton Road.

Winchester MC also have events scheduled for Good Friday (April 13), Sunday April 20, May 9 and September 7.