THERE aren't many disadvantages to having one of the most technologically advanced cars in British rallying. However, one downfall can be the technology itself.

Just ask Shildon's Barry Johnson.

He drives 2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg's Subaru Impreza WRC, a car he has described as perhaps the best privateer machine in the country.

However, the problem with state of the art gadgetry is that it often thinks it knows a better way to get from A to B than the driver. Something that can not only be downright frustrating but also dangerous.

"Basically, I am fighting the computers in the car. The car is saying go straight and I don't want to go straight," said Johnson, who posted a second place in the latest round of the County Saab Scottish Rally Championship at the weekend and will be one of the drivers to watch in this weekend's Gateshead-based Pirelli International Rally.

"It's not particularly the fastest way to drive but it's certainly, in my view at least, the safest way to drive, the way we are trying to get the car to go."

In order to get things set up just the way he wants, Johnson has called in the expert - former world champion and Subaru driver Colin McRae.

McRae, who is not competing in this year's World Rally Championship, was at last weekend's MultiWage Granite City rally in Aberdeen and offered his assistance.

"I was talking to Colin at the weekend and he is going to come down and set the car up with us," revealed Johnson.

"He is involved with the Scottish Rally Championship and I was explaining the problems I am finding with the car on the handling side and he said it's exactly the same as he found when he learned to drive the same car.

"He knows exactly what I was talking about when I described the feeling I am getting in the car. What might have suited Petter Solberg when he set up the car, I'm telling you, doesn't suit me."

McRae's help is unlikely to come in time to aid Johnson's bid at the opening round of the British Rally Championship tomorrow and Saturday.

While based in Gateshead, the rally is mainly run in the demanding Kielder Forest. The event begins with the night stages, something Johnson and co-driver Stewart Merry, know can make or break a weekend.

"Hopefully, we can make it through Friday night because that will be daunting," he said.

"Last year you couldn't see more than 30 yards in front of you. We were touching 100mph.

"Sometimes in the fog you can have your lights on and they just reflect back so we were travelling with them switched off, still trying to go as fast as we could.

"People were going off the course and coming back to get on it again and didn't know which way to go!

"You get people going absolutely flat out and they have a big accident. The majority of us just try and hold back a bit to get through to the next day."