RACING driver Brian O'Connor is aiming to revive his motorsport career after spending two years rebuilding his car.

O'Connor, who lives in Great Harwood, was a regular in the Ford Saloon Championship up to 2003, driving his Ford Escort Cosworth.

But the distinctive turbo-powered machine met a fiery end when it burst into flames in the pitlane at Oulton Park.

The damage to the 500bhp hatchback was enough to put O'Connor, who works as an IT consultant off the road and out of the series.

But following a major rebuild the pair will be reunited at Mallory Park on March 28 for the opening round of the 2005 Ford Saloon Championship.

"I think the aim is to extinguish the pain of that horrible day at Oulton when the car went up like an inferno. In fact, we are thinking about calling it the Phoenix," said Brian.

"It was such a simple fault - an oil line ruptured spilling oil onto the hot exhaust manifold - but the end result was devastating.

"The car was a proven race winner, and I was determined to get back on-track.

"But the wait has been worhwhile and it's better than ever. We now have 560bhp under the bonnet along with new suspension bits which should see us at the right end of the grid.

"I've no doubt the car will still be on the pace, and I can't wait to get behind the wheel again.""

This year's Ford Saloon Car Championship, one of the mainstays of the national racing calendar, looks set for its best season ever, thanks to a full grid and a new television package.

Each of the 10 rounds - which total 13 races - will be screened on Channel Five and the motors satellite channel.

That has proved the catalyst for a surge in entries, with some of the best known saloon car drivers participating.

O'Connor's title rivals include Scotsman Graham Waite in a Sierra Sapphire Cosworth), the ex-Andy Rouse Sierra RS500 of Steve Scott and Malcolm Wise, driving another Escort Cosworth.