DAREDEVIL John Matthews risked everything to combine his twin passions of film-making and rally driving.

John, 37, quit his job with Granada TV and set up his own production company to fulfil his lifelong dream of making a film about driving.

He had to finance the project himself, taking on several part-time jobs to raise the cash. And during the shoot in Norway, John risked his life by performing a series of extreme stunts on ice.

John, who has a two-year old daughter, has been racing in his spare time for years.

He decided to devote all his time to making the film.

He said: "It was quite an ambitious project for my first film, but it is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I've been interested in driving for years and love racing cars.

Risk

"I realised there were no videos telling you how to be a better rally driver, so I thought I could make one. I love making films so I thought it would be a great chance to combine it with my love of driving."

John, from Uppermill, Saddleworth, worked on a host of Granada shows, including University Challenge and What The Papers Say.

But he left his job so he could make the film himself.

"It was a risk taking it all on myself, but I thought it was the only way I could make it as I wanted to," he said. "I had to raise the money on my own and have taken on quite a lot of debt.

"But I wanted to do it so much it was worth it."

To fund the project, John took on a series of part-time jobs.

The video gives wannabe rally drivers tips on hand-brake turning, left-foot braking, and power sliding.

Called 'Extreme Driving', it was officially launched last Saturday. Now John is hoping his hard work will pay off.

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