BUDDING Lewis Hamilton's can be transported to race tracks across the world - all from a garage in Barrow.

The new virtual-reality racing universe pits friends and family against each other to prove who is best behind the wheel.

Car sales company JD Motors, on Wilkie Road, has created the four-way racing experience called Racecar VR.

The multiplayer immersive game provides a host of tracks to burn rubber on, including Silverstone, Nürburgring and Cheshire’s Oulton Park Circuit.

There is also a wide range of racing series such as British Touring Cars, Formula 1 and cross-country rallying.

The rigs are in JD Motors' main garage and are open to the public during the evening, with an extended time period over Sundays.

Managing director Rob Dixon said: “We started this project because Barrow doesn’t offer much regarding activities to do. The town used to have go-karting and a bowling alley, but they closed down.

“With nothing to do the youth of Barrow can easily get bored, which can indirectly lead to racing around on our streets.

“These racing rigs allow the town’s people to let off some steam and race in a safe environment, instead of drag-racing on Abbey Road.”

The racing splitscreen experience came after a collaboration between petrolhead Mr Dixon and his business partner Phil Turner, a virtual reality expert from Ulverston.

The technology has been supplied by Slightly Mad Studios.

JD Motors has also set up the system to a social media site to host games for people to watch from home.

“My kids love watching other people play games, so we’re providing entertainment for home viewers,” added Mr Dixon.