A classic car enthusiast was critically ill in hospital today with head and chest injuries after a crash at a racing festival.

Property developer Rupert Avon, 38, of High Street, Steyning, was driving a C-type Jaguar during a practice session for a race at the Goodwood Revival festival when his car span off the track at Madgwick Corner.

He was taken to the St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.

The practice session was for the Freddie March Memorial Trophy race, one of about 14 due to take place over the festival weekend featuring cars from the Forties, Fifties and Sixties.

Sussex Police said no other vehicles or people were involved in the accident.

Mr Avon is a member of the Tops club for owners of historic Grand Prix, sports racing, classic and vintage cars.

He has represented the club at events at courses such as Silverstone, where he drove a 1928 Bentley in April, and at Donnington, where he drove a 1926 Bentley two months later.

He is the son of Humphrey Avon, who developed the Montague Centre shopping precinct in Worthing.

The Goodwood Revival is held each year by Lord March who brings the world's greatest racing cars back to circuit.

Goodwood was closed in 1966 when modern Grand Prix cars became too fast to handle the circuit.

Lord March won a planning battle to reopen the track once a year for racing, restricted to the type of cars which were seen at Goodwood in its heyday.

The event attracts famous faces from motor-racing history including Sir Stirling Moss.