O'Neill returns to BTCC

O'Neill, who was ruled out of racing in 2004 after contracting diabetes, will drive one of the ex-Team Eurotech cars that were campaigned by Mike and Andrew Jordan this season.

Speaking about his return, O'Neill said: "I'm raring to get back into the BTCC. We want to progress as much as possible and we just need to get out on track, get our heads down and crack on with the job we have."

Martyn Bell, who drove a Tech-Speed run car for Arkas Racing last year, will be O'Neill's teammate. And although failing to score a point in a Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch last year, he is optimistic that he can move up the grid despite remaining in a BTC-spec car rather than a Super 2000 machine.

"We looked at going down the Super 2000 route but it was simply too expensive for us and we have been able to do a good deal with Mike to purchase the Integras and a hell of a lot of spares as well," Bell said.

"Some people might not view it as a step forward to be staying with a BTC-spec car, but we feel it gives us the chance to make progress in 2009 as the car is still a competitive machine and capable of some strong results."