LIFE’S a drag for self-confessed petrol head Paul Bargate.

The 50-year-old York speed merchant has one clear ambition in 2011 – lowering the UK drag racing record he set last season.

The newsagent became the first to clock under 12 seconds for a standing quarter-mile in a road legal front-wheel drive car.

Bargate’s two-litre, 16 valve VW Scirocco clocked 11.95 seconds for the quarter-mile in the Bracket Gamblers Race at Shakespeare County Raceway near Stratford – at a speed of 115 miles per hour.

To prove it was no fluke, he then repeated the feat in 11.97 seconds. But now he is looking to shave another second off that time.

“I wanted to get under 12 seconds for a standing quarter-mile and at the end of October I did 11.95 seconds and then 11.97 seconds at 115 miles per hour. I was very pleased with that.

“The next event is the Fast Show at Santa Pod next month and I want to extend the record.

“I want to be into the tens, but it gets expensive. I want to build another engine and I am looking for a sponsor.”

Bargate, who runs Bargate Newsagents in Bishopthorpe Road, has been drag racing for almost a decade and admits he is hooked.

“I am a petrol head,” he said.

“I have always liked rally driving and then I got into VWs and drag racing over the quarter-mile.

“I’ve been at it for about eight or nine years now. I got beaten a lot at the start, but I have progressed over the years.

“It is a massive scene – it’s as big as any sport.

“If you get into rally sports you could spend £100,000 to be competitive, but in drag racing you can turn up and have a day’s racing for very little cost.

“You can turn up in your own car and compete to some degree. But now I am getting to the level when money becomes an issue.”

Bargate’s car is a labour of love.

“I’ve had the car for about 12 years now,” he said. “I bought it because it’s a 16 valve and left-hand drive.

“It’s a rare car. They didn’t make them in this country – they were all right-hand drive and eight valve over here.

“Mine is road legal. It’s a genuine car.

“A lot of them have VWs but with different engines, but I broke the record in the car as VW made it, even though I have tuned it up.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Bargate should phone him on 01904 610245 or 07949 850161.