AFTER a season spent negotiating the twists and turns of the world rally circuit, Darlington's Guy Wilks is set for some negotiations of a different kind.

With his deal at Suzuki up for renewal the 23-year-old - who finished third in the Junior World Rally Championship and won the British Super 1600 and British Junior titles this year - is in talks with the Japanese outfit over his future.

However, despite being happy with Team Dealer Suzuki he revealed to the Northern Echo that he is expecting a number of other offers when the World Rally Championship comes to an end this weekend.

Having spent just one year with a works outfit in the junior division, Wilks, who finished first in his class at last weekend's Tempest Rally in Aldershot, is keen to move up a gear and has set his sights on a prestigious World Rally Championship drive.

Suzuki do not currently have a WRC car, but Wilks has enjoyed a good relationship with the team and so they are in a good position to negotiate. However, the suggestion is Ford may be considering a move and Wilks, while not confirming the report did not dismiss it either, describing it as "realistic".

One way or another the decision has to be made by November 30 when teams have to nominate their drivers for next season.

Speaking yesterday, Wilks said: "Suzuki have to build a car yet but I think it's looking a strong possibility.

"I have to look at my future and if they want to be serious then they have to offer me something like that.

"I am quite happy to stay with them, I am more than happy with the team and the car and we have had a successful year this year, but at the same time I have to keep my options open.

"Negotiations have been going on for a while but we will just have to wait and see."

Suzuki's rivals have yet to show their hand, but Wilks is expecting approaches in the next few days.

"I haven't discussed anything in detail because the main world championship is not over yet," he said. "This weekend coming up is the last round in Australia so we may get some phone calls then."

Wilks wouldn't say who the other suitors were, but did talk freely about the offer he was looking for.

"It's a difficult game to play," he said. "You need to make sure you make the right decision for yourself at the right time in your career. I do think I am ready for a WRC car, it's just whether I get the opportunity and whether it's the right one.

"It's okay being offered the seat but when you are stepping up and you have got the experience I have you need to be in the car all the time, you need to be doing a lot of testing and development work.

"If I was to get offered something without testing and development it would be hard for me to say yes."

Wilks said he was not nave enough to expect to be a team number one, but he wanted a level playing field on which to operate.

"The only way I would look at an offer is if it was the full championship and I was to get testing and development with the car," he said.

"The only other thing I would want is a two-year deal because you need the security that offers."