MICHAEL and Daniel O’Brien will bring new meaning to the phrase ‘keeping it in the family’ when the Rallye Sunseeker gets under way tomorrow.

Usually, when a father and son compete in the MSA British Rally Championship, it is as driver and co-driver – but the O’Briens will be racing against each other.

Having missed the recent Wyedean Rally, Michael and Daniel have opted to use the Rallye Sunseeker as a test event for their P+R Benn-run cars.

Daniel will drive the 2002 World Rally Championship Focus which was previously driven by his father and has been in the capable hands of Roman Kresta and Francois Duval.

Daniel, twice a former junior rallycross champion, said: “After missing the Wyedean due to some last-minute work commitments, I wanted to be out in the car as soon as possible.

“I did the Sunseeker last year and it is a good rally. I did it in the Fiesta R2 and went well on the slippy stages. It should be even more fun in the Focus this year.

“I’m not sure how we will go this year because there are some really quick drivers entered, including my dad, but we will push on and see where we end up.”

Michael, meanwhile, is set to drive a 2006 Ford Focus WRC and will be partnered by the experienced Paul Spooner.

Michael said: “This will be a good shake down for me and the new car as I haven’t been in the car since November.

“We may just have to feel our way into it in the morning and build on that throughout the day.”

He added: “I haven’t done the event before, but Daniel did last year, and it will be good to get time in the cars for both of us ahead of a busy year.”