AN intrepid gran is tearing up the track in her bid to become the fastest motor racing pensioner around.

A double hip replacement has not stopped Helmshore 68-year-old Jean Neville from living life to the full as she reaches speeds of more than 100mph.

And the pensioner, of Balmoral Road, has made her way into the last 100 from the 4,000 female drivers who entered in the Club Formula Women series.

The retired teacher -- who is sponsored by Saga, the national organisation for the over 50s -- is now ready for a summer boot camp to decide the last 16, who will then battle it out for the championship crown.

Jean has already helped the competition make the Guinness Book of Records for the most number of women -- 62 -- competing in a race. She is also one of four women featured in a Channel 4 documentary that follows the competitors to be screened next spring.

In the last 12 months, Jean has passed her racing driver's licence, completed the learning and intermediate levels and the advanced driving courses, where she got to drive the Caterham race cars solo.

She has already raced on tracks across the UK, including Dunsfold Park, where motoring show Top Gear is filmed.

The would-be Michael Schumacher has even raced in torrential rain, where she was told to spin so she could learn how to regain control in difficult conditions.

Jean found out about the annual event through a cousin and was eager to take part.

She said: "I have just always loved driving. When I took my driving test I really loved it. I wanted to go and do more but I got married and was working full-time and then had a family.

"It's the most exciting thing I have ever done. It's tremendous and so addictive. You get the adrenaline just flowing through your body."

As the oldest competitor, Jean accepts the inevitable labels. She said: "It looks as though I'm stuck with this image of 'Grandma on the grid'.''

Jean, who has three children -- Simon, 40; Andrew, also 40, and Claire, 36 -- and four grandchildren, added: "They her family thought I was off my rocker to start with but now they think it's brilliant. They are amazed I have got this far and are delighted and very supportive and encouraging."

A spokesman for Formula Woman said: "It is a unique concept. Our goal is to offer them the opportunity to enter the competitive world of motorsport or simply develop their driving skills with professional female instruction in a female environment at an affordable rate."