MOTORING enthusiast Neville Wright is gearing up for the biggest race of his life after reaching the finals of a classic car championship.

The 47-year-old driver, from Cockfield, in Teesdale, raced through his class in the western round of the 2002 Autoglym Classic Concours Championship to qualify for the grand final.

Driving an 18-year-old Mercedes-Benz, Mr Wright won his heat in the event, held at the Swansea Festival of Transport.

He will now compete for the championship title in November.

Mr Wright, who works as the service manager at Oakley Service Station, in West Auckland, bought his green 200 Saloon 11 years ago and has won ten concours awards in it.

Ironically, the previous owner had the 1984 car serviced at Oakley Service Station from new, and Mr Wright had always had his heart set on buying it.

And it has proved to be a good investment, with his latest victory ranking as the biggest of his life.

Mr Wright said: "I am really chuffed to have qualified for the final, as this is the top classic car competition in the country."

If he goes one better and wins the final, at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, he will receive a trophy, £500, a specially commissioned painting of the car, a year's insurance and a car cover worth £500.