A classic car enthusiast who crashed at a racing festival was in a critical but stable condition last night after being transferred to a specialist hospital.

Rupert Avon, 38, of High Street, Steyning, suffered serious head injuries when his C-type Jaguar left the track during a practice session for the Goodwood Revival meeting.

He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester with life-threatening injuries on Friday evening.

Doctors decided to transfer him to Southampton General Hospital, which has a specialist neurological centre.

Mr Avon had been driving in the practice session for the Freddie March Memorial Trophy race, one of about 14 which took place at the weekend.

Police said no other vehicles or people were involved.

Mr Avon is a member of the Tops Club for owners of historic Grand Prix, sports racing, classic and vintage cars. He had represented the group at tracks around the country including Silverstone, where he drove a 1928 Bentley last April, and at Donington two months later in a 1926 Bentley.

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

Goodwood Revival is aimed at recreating post-war motor racing and features a host of classic cars.

The Goodwood circuit closed in 1966 when modern Grand Prix cars became too fast but Lord March won a planning battle to re-open once a year to race classic cars.

Among big names at the revival are Sir Stirling Moss, whose career ended after a horrific 1964 crash at Goodwood.