BARRY Johnson is gunning for top spot in this weekend's Jim Clark Reivers Rally after declaring himself 'tired' of finishing second.

The Shildon driver heads to Scotland after finishing runner-up to County Saab Scottish Rally Championship leader Raymond Munro on the previous three rallies.

On the last two, the Granite and the Scottish, Johnson has started the final stage with victory in his sights, only to have it cruelly snatched away at the death. On both occasions Munro has stormed through the final few miles at breakneck speed to the bewilderment of the 2002 champion and his fellow drivers.

But Johnson says enough is enough and he is prepared to throw caution to the wind in order to redress the balance.

"This is really the last throw of the dice for me this year," said the ex-Petter Solberg Subaru Impreza WRC driver, who lies fourth overall with 84 points to Munro's 120.

"I'm tired of finishing second behind Raymond this year. Now I have to start winning.

"Raymond is in a fantastic vein of form but I need to win the remaining four rounds of the championship and hope he fails to finish at least one.

"The pressure's on a bit, but all I can do is keep attacking."

Munro is not counting his chickens just yet, knowing full well that Johnson is an adversary to be feared.

"I'm not going to take anything for granted until I know it is mathematically impossible for anyone to overhaul my lead," said the defending champion.

"I know people think it's a forgone conclusion for me now, but I still prefer to think I can be beaten. That way I'll stay 100 percent sharp and focused."

Darlington's Guy Wilks is also competing in the Jim Clark and is hoping for a third successive maximum points score in the Kwik-Fit/Pirelli British Rally Championship Super 1600 class.

Wilks and his Suzuki Ignis finished a magnificent fourth overall in the recent Scottish Rally, the highest ever finish for a Super 1600 car on a British championship rally.

The 23-year-old won the Super 1600 class in the process and is confident of another class victory in Scotland.

"My confidence is high after the previous two British results and I'm really looking forward to the first asphalt rally of the season," said the 23-year-old.

"The most important thing we must do this weekend is maintain our championship challenge with another good finish, but it will be interesting to see how quick the other Super 1600 cars are on a closed surface."

"I've only competed on the Jim Clark once before, in 2002, but retired with a blown engine. The rally is very quick and because we've only tested once on asphalt and never raced, it will be a good test on the car and my ability on the tar event."

Wilks' co-driver Phil Pugh has competed in the Jim Clark event four times, but only finished once, and said: "It is important we treat the stages with respect because they can punish even the smallest of mistakes.

"The fast-flowing roads often lead to small bridges and spectacular jumps, which makes great viewing for spectators but can lead to big crashes."

Wilks and Pugh are currently second in the British Super 1600 Championship, just four points behind leader Jonnie Wigmore (Ford Puma). But with 20 points for a win, the duo could overhaul Wigmore with a good result.

Consett's Steven Robson is also taking part in the Jim Clark in the Mitsubish Evolution Challenge. The rally is round four of the one-make championship for Group N Lancer Evolutions.

Published: 01/07/2004