A fearless stock car racer flew over a line of cars in an old banger.  Hundreds of people held their breath as Lee Paulson revved up his battered old Rover before accelerating off a ramp and over nine stationary cars.  He clipped the last one but touched down unharmed to loud cheers. 

The Evel Knievel-style stunt took place yesterday at the Oval race track in Angmering, near Littlehampton. 

When Mr Paulson, a 36-year-old former car dealer from Rustington, near Littlehampton, attempted a similar jump in May he hit the seventh vehicle, rolled his car and tore his neck ligaments.  Fortunately yesterday’s attempt was more successful. 

He said: “I hit the ramp at 60mph and there is no greater feeling that when you are in mid-air.  It’s fantastic. 

“If they’ll allow me I want to clear 12 cars next year.” 

The stunt took its toll on the Rover 216, bursting a front tyre and damaging the drive shaft, but Mr Paulson was unharmed. 

The jump was organised in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity which works to raise awareness about and protect young people from sudden death caused by cardiac defects.  Every week eight apparently fit and healthy young people die in the UK from undiagnosed heart conditions. 

Veronica Thorn, from Littlehampton, whose son Ben died aged 24 from such a condition in 2001, said she hoped the event would raise £1,000 for the charity. 

Mrs Thorn, 51, who works for SRC Recycling in Eastergate, near Chichester, said: “I heard Lee wanted to so something for charity and I suggested he consider CRY. 

“Stock car racing is not something I usually go to but it was amazing to watch Lee’s jump. 

“It amazes me that there are people who are willing to risk their lives like this and I was very nervous because I didn’t want anybody getting hurt. 

“It was a bit crazy but I’m glad he did it because it helps raise money and awareness.” 

Last year Mrs Thorn helped raise £10,000 by organising a sponsored bike ride from Guildford to High Salvington, near Worthing.  Further fund-raising events are planned. 

Ben died in his sleep in September 2001 of a hard-to-detect inherited disturbance in his heart’s rhythm.  The boat skipper from Hove, who played drums in a band, was in the prime of his life. 

In March 2003, Mrs Thorn lost her older son Gary, 30, to a brain tumour and her 50-year old husband Tony died of heart disease two weeks later.  She has twin daughters aged 31.