IT'S certainly a family affair when it comes to motor racing in the Culley household.

However, it's not because of a shared love of Formula One, but because father and son race against each other in the same Championship!

Martyn Culley and his father Barrie are both tackling their debut season in the Volkswagen Racing Cup.

The duo pilot VW Ventos (pictured above) in the nationwide series under the family's own team banner, Goblin Racing. Martyn, 25, from Kempshott Park, said: "Motorsport is expensive and in fixing and improving cars our wives saw the bank balances decline.

"That led to them calling the cars goblins as they were gobbling up the money, hence Goblin Racing."

But surely racing against his father is the source of many family fueds? Apparently not.

"I am usually the quickest," explained Martyn.

"I want to do well. Dad is out their to be competitive, but at the same time enjoy his racing."

The championship is now two rounds old with Donington Park and Croft already completed.

At each meeting there are two races. At Donington, Martyn finished ninth, and Barrie 13th in a 25-car-field race one. In the second event, Martyn finished seventh with Barrie one place behind him.

At Croft, Martyn recorded a pair of eighth places, while Barrie was 12th in both outings.

The next stage of the championship is at Snetterton on the weekend of June 4/5, before it moves on to Oulton Park on July 17/18.

Martyn started driving at the age of 10, following in his dad's footsteps, racing bangers at Aldermaston.

Barrie, who lives in Thatcham, got bored with the oval and moved on to circuit tracks.

Martyn (pictured inset above) had to wait until he was 16 to race on asphalt, and for the last five years has been competing a Ford Fiesta XR2 MkII in the 750MC Hot Hatch Championship.

Last season, he just missed out on third place in the championship and second in his class.

This season, the pair moved up to the Volkswagen Cup and enjoy the improved coverage in the media.

Martyn said: "I have already been featured on Sky Sports, which was good, and there are four magazines which cover the series.

"We have one sponsor in Game Squad Ltd, who we are very grateful to, but are on the look out for any others."

Anyone who would like more information can contact log on to www.goblinracing.co.uk or call Martyn on 07899 882554.