SHILDON rally driver Barry Johnson has announced that he is planning to defend his 2002 Scottish Championship title as well as contesting the Pirelli British Rally Championship in 2003.

The Subaru Impreza driver clinched the 2002 New Pig Scottish Rally Championship after a final round shoot-out last autumn, but he feels repeating his success in Scotland will be a difficult task.

"The competition in Scotland is getting stronger and stronger, with numerous world rally cars as well as loads of group A and B cars.

"When you throw in a handful of Irish drivers, the defence of the title will be a tough battle. There are at least two dozen Scots pretty much adamant no Englishman will win their title again, so we are set for a cracking year's sport", said the former trials rider.

Johnson had considered competing in the ANCRO national championship, but took into consideration the times that fellow Scottish championship contenders Raymond Munro, Stephen Harron and John Burn were setting against the regular drivers in 2002 and decided that this option would have been a sideways step.

In addition to his commitments north of the border, Johnson will contest the Pirelli British Rally Championship to add an additional challenge for 2003.

He said: "We're still waiting to see who our main competition will be in the British Championship, but whoever it is we hope to give a good account of ourselves.

"It was unfortunate that the engine let go so near the start of last year's Trackrod Rally as I was quite keen to see if our pace was anywhere near in preparation for 2003."

Joining Johnson for 2003 will be experienced co-driver Stewart Merry.

Although he is Jersey-based, Merry was brought up in the forests of Scotland and is a former Scottish Rally Champion co-driver.

Once again driving the ex-Juha Kankkunen Subaru WRC with backing from Barrier Surveillance, Ultrak and Pirelli, Johnson will begin his 2003 campaign this month with a visit to the world-famous John Haughland rally school in Norway.

The first round of the New Pig Scottish Rally Championship is the Snowman Rally, based in Inverness in mid-February.

Also travelling to Norway will be John Pye Motorsport teammate Tristan Pye, who will debut his new Subaru on the Snowman Rally after an impressive run on the recent Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally.

The Bishop Auckland youngster is expected to be on the pace straight away and will be hoping to emulate Johnson's achievement in bringing the group N title south of the border for the first time.

* Yarm motorcycle racer Russ Hodgson is heading for warmer climes for the rest of the winter when he jets out to the Caribbean this weekend.

But it will be no holiday for the 21-year-old rider, who is going out to work alongside his father on his building project while earning some money to finance his 2003 plans.

The former 125cc racer will contest the Yamaha R6 Cup at the British Superbike Championship meetings, with the first round scheduled for Silverstone on March 30.

Hodgson, who finished seventh in this season's 125cc British Championship, said: "It will cost me around £17,500 to secure a ride in the series and this has to be paid by the start of the season, so I'll be working round the clock to earn as much as I can over these next three months".

* Entries for next weekend's Jack Frost Stages Rally at Croft circuit are now closed after Darlington and District Motor Club received an overwhelming number of requests for a place.

A top quality field will take to the start, including the winners of the last two events - John Bogie (MG Metro 6R4) and Dave Holland (Ford Escort) - while there are a number of top local crews scheduled to contest the event.

A full preview will appear next week.

l Billed as the world's number one racing car show, Autosport International 2003 gets underway today at Birmingham's NEC.

A staggering 89,500 visitors attended last year's three-day extravaganza and, with more than 700 companies exhibiting, there's no doubt that this year it's going to be even bigger.

The show, which encompasses every level of motor racing from Formula One to karting, is an entertaining day out for all the family. A whole host of exciting activities will be taking place, attracting the general public and celebrities alike.

The British Eurosport Live Action Arena, purpose-built for the event, will show a host of thrilling, high-speed live action. Visitors can watch their favourite cars, bikes and drivers battle it out on the circuit during the five 45-minute shows per day. Darlington autotesters Russ and Paul Swift are scheduled to take part in the action.

Also featured is the Autosport Magazine Stage, with top racing drivers interviewed live, competitions, launches and other activities taking place. The F1 Racing Grid is a re-creation of how a Grand Prix looks 15 minutes before the warm-up lap. Here visitors will see the top teams, F1 cars and interviews with the top drivers.

The National Motorsport Area features a purpose-built karting track with leading kart manufacturers and associated companies on hand to offer advice and guidance. There is a Constructors Pavilion and also Club Motorsport, encompassing all areas of championships and motor sport at club level.

Grass roots motor sport fans should check out the Cars and Conversions Area, which embraces high performance products and tuning accessories, while the Oval Racing section includes the Short Circuit and Rallycross Show.

Bike Sport International will enable fans, customers and personnel in the motorcycle industry to get closer to manufacturers and personalities, with Steve Hislop, Neil Hodgson, Chris Walker, John Reynolds and Sean Emmett all expected