DESTINATION: Barcelona.

Task: The launch of McLaren's new F1 car.

That's the sort of diary date that Gemma Briggs wakes up to as the best young motor sport journalist of 2004.

At 24, Gemma, from Kendal, has earned the writing accolade from the industry and looks set to carve out an illustrious career in one of the most glamorous sports in the world.

Gemma has put in the hard work in the office and worked for two years as deputy editor on technical publication Racecar Engineering before recently taking up a similar role with the McLaren Formula One team's magazine Racing Line. She is also a fully- qualified journalist, having graduated from London's City University with a First.

Gemma received her award, including a trophy and a cheque for £1000 at the MSA's prestigious Night of Champions awards ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club on London's Pall Mall.

ITV's F1 pundit Tony Jardine interviewed her on stage.

Guest of honour at the event was John Surtees MBE, the only person in history to win world championship in motor cycling and F1.