AN AWARD-WINNING motor racing firm is underlining Medway's fast-lane pedigree by developing skills on a new Ford engine.

Minister Racing Engines, of Revenge Road, Lordswood -- recently named Small Business of the Year in the Motorsport Industry Association Awards -- is hoping its work on the new Duratec generation of engines will bring more work to Chatham.

Over the past 30 years, Minister has earned huge respect in motor racing circles, working with Michael Schumacher, Nigel Mansell, and Spanish up-and-coming drivers such Pedro de la Rosa, who went on to Formula One.

Graham Fuller, director, said: "We have been developing two-litre and 2.3 litre versions of the Ford Duratec engine. This is a new generation of Ford engines and we feel they have very high potential for good performance. We have been developing them for high performance and circuit use."

If the project went well, he added, it could lead to new links with high-powered racing teams.

"It would give us a head start in things like high-level sports car racing and possibly saloon car racing," he said.

Minister works with Kent-based Caterham Cars on MGX Rover engines. One of its cars came 11th overall out of 200 in a recent 24-hour race staged on the legendary German Nurburgring. It won the its class by 10 laps.

Meanwhile, Minister and its 10-strong workforce are celebrating off-track success in the 2003 MIA awards.

Sir Stephen Brown, chief executive of British Trade International, presented Mr Fuller with the handsome trophy and certificate at a gala dinner attended by around 600 guests in the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.

Mr Fuller said the award had given the firm great kudos. "It was nice to receive," he said. "Judges said we were special because of our continuous achievement of quality, production and service over 30 years."