York City's long-awaited new kit was unveiled today in a blaze of publicity.

The design, which City chairman John Batchelor promised would be eye-catching, was launched at the club's Wigginton Road training ground.

It incorporates chequered sleeves which reflect the charismatic Batchelor's links with motorsport and a broad white Y-front which was last worn in the 1970s when City had a maroon kit.

The main colour of red is retained and the name of the club's sponsor, the Evening Press is emblazoned across the front of the shirt.

The kit was modelled for the media by Batchelor's personal assistant, Trudie Watts, on a high-performance Vauxhall VX220 car which Batchelor hopes to drive in the famous Le Mans Race in France next year.

Motorsport-mad Batchelor plans to fulfil another dream by taking part in the famous 24-hour car race next year.

He is hoping to enter the 140mph Vauxhall clad in York City insignia in the testing race.

He will share the driving with Jim Edwards junior and Hyla Breese, who drive for Batchelor's Team B&Q Jet York City Racing team in the British Touring Car Championship.

The car Batchelor and his drivers are hoping to use at Le Mans was on show at Croft, near Darlington, yesterday when the latest round of the BTCC took place.

"It is a dream to enter four main motorsport events. The British Touring Car Championships, the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans and Indianapolis," said Batchelor.

"We've done the first, have the second in place and are half way there to achieving the third. I'm not quite sure how we'll manage Indianapolis yet."

As reported in the Evening Press in May, Batchelor has entered a team in the Porsche Super Cup which is run on the same day as the Grand Prix series when it visits Monaco.

The winner at Le Mans is determined by the number of laps covered in a 24-hour period and is considered to be one of the classic races on the motorsport calendar attracting thousands of fans.

York-based Jo Kraemer nearly equalled her best finish ever in the Elf Clio Renaultsport UK Cup yesterday coming home 22nd after an incident-packed 14 laps at Croft yesterday.

The York City Ladies Racing Team driver was forced to start from the back of the grid after she was blocked in Saturday's qualifying while on her fastest lap of the session.

But the Clifton-based 21-year-old made a great start in front of nearly 20,000 fans and swept past several of her rivals at the first corner. She then had to avoid accidents ahead of her to stay on the track.

A long Safety Car period halted her progress but when the race re-started she again improved her position. Other drivers' mistakes helped her rise further up the field and she crossed the line 22nd, after starting 29th, even beating her father Rick who did not finish.

Updated: 14:57 Monday, July 15, 2002