Helpdesk analyst Ross Sergeant is on track for successful careers in both IT and motor racing.

Ross, who works in the IT department at leading Southampton law firm Eric Robinson Solicitors, is a keen member of a saloon car racing team in his spare time.

"Up until now I have been concentrating on the build and preparation of the race car as well as keeping it running throughout the season," said Ross, 24. "I'm planning to take my ARDS racing licence soon and aim to be going flat out before the end of this season."

Ross, from Lordswood, works in partnership with courier firm boss Steve Powlesland, who is currently the main driver. He first became interested in saloon racing four years ago and now many evenings and weekends are spent working on his Peugeot 306 GTI6.

"Obviously one of the main attractions is the buzz you get from the speed and the competitive element," he said. "But it's really satisfying working on the car too. Sometimes you are really up against it, rebuilding the engine overnight before the next race.

"We race in the Stock Hatch and Hot Hatch championships which tour national circuits such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch.

"It's a real mixture of people and often you'll be racing against someone who has spent in excess of £20,000 on their car.

"It's really good watching your car race against them and thinking 'I built that engine myself and it's doing all right.' Last season we were regularly coming fourth or fifth out of around 90 cars - at least until we had a major accident and the car was written off."

Ross works at the Bitterne head offices of Eric Robinson Solicitors, now one of the leading legal firms in the region. Managing partner at

Eric Robinson Solicitors Andrew Barker said: "Everyone at the firm

is right behind Ross and we will be watching his progress with great interest."