A KIT-CAR manufacturer is "baffled" after being told its model is too fast to race.

The Murtaya car, made by Adrenaline Motorsport, which is based at Trebudannon, near Newquay, was rejected by race organisers at Brands Hatch.

They claimed the kit car, which can reach speeds of more than 150mph, would "dominate" the competition and "not look favourably" on the sport.

The hand-crafted Murtaya is a two-seater sports car with a fibreglass body and a tuned Subaru engine. Each is individually designed for customers.

Tom Taylor, company director, said: "We looked at entering the Murtaya into a few rounds of the competition in preparation for a full season's racing next year.

"The response we received was very positive and we even discussed the future possibility of a single-make championship to run within the overall series.

"After some very positive initial track testing at a private circuit, we decided that we would enter the Murtaya, driven by a great young driver called James Harrison, into the last round of the series on the November 8 and see how the car performed in readiness for next year. However, the entry was protested and we received an e-mail from the organiser."

It read: "Following your call last night I have had my consultations with the committee, and the view is that we should not let you run with us. I think they suspect you would dominate/win the event and steal their thunder, especially as it's televised."

Adrenaline Motorsport, which employs eight people, has built and sold 40 cars since starting up in 2005 and has customers based in Australia, New Zealand, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Netherlands as well as the UK.

The entry-level Murtaya has a two-litre Subaru engine, capable of putting out around 280 brake horse power (bhp).

The higher-spec, 2.5ltr engine models produce 500bhp and can go from 0-100mph in just seven seconds. All use Subaru's four-wheel drive system.

The company, which also has a paint shop for its motors in Padstow, is aiming to increase production to 100 cars a year next year.

The Murtaya has also received rave reviews in a host of kit-car and performance car magazines.

Steve Hole, editor of Total Kit Car magazine, described the Murtaya as "one of the most accomplished cars I have ever driven; a truly remarkable car".

Adrenaline Motorsport's director Neil Yates said: "We are completely baffled by the decision not to allow us to race. We were initially invited to come along and they then changed their minds when we agreed to it. I guess we're just too fast!"