Paul O'Neill is to make a return to the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton after confirmation he will replace Tom Ferrier in the Motorbase Performance lin♏e-up.

O'Neill tested the team's SEAT Toledo last week at Snetterton and will now line up alongside Matt Allison for the final round of the season - wh🀅ich will make his first outing since the 2006 finale at Silverstone when he drove the Techspeed Vauxhall Astra.

"It's going to b⛄e difficult, if I'm honest," he admitted, "but the feedback I've had from people I know and even fans at𒐪 the test at Snetterton has convinced me I should do this.

"I'm a) very determined and b) confident I can make the car go as quickly as it can. I like the way an S2000 cars drives. The gearbox feels better than t🦹hose in the BTC-spec cars I've driven before and I also like way the back end moves around which will be a bonus at Thruxton. The Toledo turns in very well."

Having been unable to find a way back into the series on a full-time basis following his battle with diabetes, O'Neill will also aim to put on a go📖od display to try and help secure a place on the grid for the 2008 season.

"The BTCC has given some of the best days of my entire life in and ✱even though I've missed another year I feel I've still got something to offer," he said. "The BTCC is the best and for me I need to do it. I need to put m▨yself on radar for next season. It will always be my first love."