TITLE HOPES . . . Paul Gribben is hoping to scoop his championship class at the 2015 PokerStars Rally this weekend
And the pressure is sure to be on for Paul Gribben, of Lowthertown in Eastriggs, as he goes into the Isle of Man event with a chance of scooping the class B co-driver championship.
The 53-year-old, who only returned to the sport last November after a 20-year break, will be navigating for Michael McKenna in a Vauxhall Astra in tomorrow’s 1400 to 1600 cc category.
Gribben, who is a member of the Solway Car Club and Manx Auto Sport Club, said: “It’s quite a complex scoring system. We’re leading the class by six points but we need a win to secure the championship, and our nearest rival needs to finish third or not at all.
“We’ve got to throw caution to the wind and go for it from the word go, but the danger is always there that our car could give up.”
He added: “We are going out there for a win and this is the big one. It is an exciting championship but there is some nervous excitement as I’ve never led a championship in my life so we will just have to wait and see.”
Gribben, who operates PHG Safety Services Ltd in Annan, has been busy studying the pace notes for the 75 special stage miles this week and plans to drive the full route ahead of making any final adjustments.
Admitting that the rally bug has certainly bit again, he now has plans to co-drive for McKenna again next season and the duo are already eyeing up the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship.
