A FATHER-AND-SON team hope that joining the same University of Derby course will accelerate their chances of national racing success.

David and Robert Hunter, who live at Shields Crescent, Castle Donington, have become the first family duo to join the university's BSc motorsport technology course.

The pair's love of motorsport started when a young Robert took part in kart racing in France.

David, 56, said: "I saw the race and asked Robert if he wanted a go. He went around the track three times and has been racing in some form ever since."

Robert began racing karts in competitions when he was nine, prompting his dad to set up a kart racing and instructor business called Black Sheep Racing in 1999.

During his racing career, 19-year-old Robert has competed in the British Racing Drivers' Club Stars of Tomorrow Championship, following in the footsteps of 23-year-old Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, whom the pair have seen at race meetings.

Now the father and son have both signed up to the course to increase their technical knowledge, in a bid to give them an edge over their competitors.

David is in the second year of the course and Robert started in the first year earlier this month.

"I've only been on the course for two weeks but I'm really enjoying it," said Robert.

David said: "Our business experience is helping with some of the course but we're learning a lot.

"In racing, it's not the taking part but the winning that counts and this course will help us with that."

The course includes modules such as race car aerodynamics, chassis engineering, and race car preparation.

The pair also plan to enter the 2009 Classic Touring Car Pre-1993 Race Series, a national competition that takes place across eight race tracks.

The series forms part of David's second-year motorsport project, worth 25% of his final grade.

David and Robert, who will act as driver in the project, believe raising more than £12,000 is necessary if they are do well in the series.

David said: "We're going in it to win it, not make up the numbers. If we can get local businesses involved, then we can represent Derby."

The Hunters hope to have a modified Mazda MX6, which they will enter into the 1993 series, on display at the University of Derby Business Trade Fair tomorrow.