INTREPID traveller Joy Rainey, who crossed America in a 110 year-old car last year, is heading down under for her next challenge.

The Australian born racer, who now lives in Wickhamford, near Evesham, has only just launched a book reliving her last experience travelling across the states.

Now the racer of restricted growth who scooped speed titles in the 80s and 90s in the male dominated sport, plans to set off again this summer.

She will have another daunting drive ahead in her trusty Oldsmobile through central Australia and this time, she is doing it to support local charity, Evesham Riverside Shopmobility.

The event will leave Adelaide on August 3 and finish in Darwin 21 days later, but this time Ms Rainey and her Oldsmobile will be in the company of 48 other veteran cars.

She said: "I wanted my journey this year to help a charity again and what better one could there be than this, which is right on my doorstep and has given me invaluable assistance?"

During her last challenge Ms Rainey raised thousands of pounds for Cancer Research UK in memory of her partner Trevor, who died of cancer but had shared her dream of crossing America in the Oldsmobile.

She completed the dream in his memory and this makes her the only woman to have driven from West coast US to the East coast in a single cylinder car.

The book, reliving every mile in the car which travels no faster then 28mph, was launched at this year's Race Retro at Stoneleigh Park and even features a foreword by racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.

Joy Across America, costing £18.95 is available from joy-across-america.com or at Evesham Shop Mobility, Riverside Shopping Centre in Bridge Street, Evesham.