A LOCAL rally driver is back in the hot-seat, recreating the magic of the 1980s.

Dave Bramwell spends most of his spare time scouring the world for parts to rebuild the immensely powerful Group 'B' rally cars - a class banned in 1986 on safety grounds.

"The cars used to generate up to 720 bhp, but were banned on the grounds of crowd safety," said Bramwell. "They were as powerful as Formula 1 cars but were being driven through a forest.

"They have only been used in demonstrations until last year when they were allowed to be driven before the main event at some rallies and were an immediate success.

"The cars are driven by keen amateurs and the power of the cars is toned right down so they are much safer.

"They have been very popular with the fans, recreating the golden age of rallying in the 1980s."

Bramwell, a 55-year-old civil engineer, was a rally driver as a teenager competing in North West events.

The Bury based driver rediscovered his love for the sport last year and now devotes much of his time and energy tracking down and having the old cars rebuilt.

"The cars are all over the world and I spent great pleasure tracking down the parts." he added.

"Last year I drove a RS200 formerly owned by former world champion Carlos Sainz, but I have sold it and will have two this season.

"They are both in Belga colours, a reconstructed Peugeot T16, formely owned by Ari Vatanen and the other is a Peugeot T16."

The first event of this year's racing calendar will be in Majorca between March 11-15, followed by events in Austria and Ireland in May, the Jim Clarke, Manx International World Rally Experience in Dublin in July and the Eifel Rally in August.