SHILDON driver Barry Johnson was forced to retire from the Astra Stages Rally in Wales at the weekend and, as a consequence, the KUMHO National Rally Championship.

The Subaru Impreza WRC driver smashed into a tree on the second stage of the event in Llangollen in slippery conditions.

It was a blow to Johnson's aspirations as he had set his sights on winning the rally in the car he believes is the best privateer machine in the country.

With seven of the eight events in the KUMHO Championship scoring and Johnson having failed to score in the first two, he and co-driver Stewart Merry are to concentrate all their efforts on the British Rally Championship, which begins with the Pirelli International Rally in Gateshead and Kielder Forest on April 23 and 24.

"We had a good run through the first stage, " said Johnson reflecting on his weekend outing. "About two miles into the second stage we went round a 90 degree corner and just got out of shape a bit.

"Normally, if you keep your foot planted it pulls you out of the corner, but it didn't. It shot us across the track and straight into a big 3ft diameter tree. That was end of story really."

Damage was restricted to the front left of the car and an in-depth assessment is being undertaken.

"It hasn't damaged the engine or the transmission fortunately, " said Johnson. "It's superficial damage."

The 40-year-old, meanwhile, escaped with a minor whiplash injury, while Merry was uninjured.

"It was very slippery and it was a bit of a freak accident actually, " Johnson said. "I have been in that position before and it sorts itself out but this time it didn't.

"We had been looking to win but it's just unfortunate that it didn't happen."

Johnson prefers to look forward rather than back.

"Championship-wise it's the second one I haven't had a finish on "There are eight rounds and seven of them score, " he said. "With us dropping two there's not much chance of winning it.

"So we will probably leave the KUMHO Championship alone and concentrate on the British Rally Championship.That will tie in nicely with trying to retain the Scottish Championship."

Johnson is also considering competing even further afield.

"We have tentatively looked at doing a few World Rally Championship events maybe in Turkey, " he revealed.

Published: 06/04/2004