WHILE youngsters, with their do or die attitude, are as likely to be barrel rolling into ditches than finishing on the podium, rally co-driver Jules Wilkinson is hoping a consistent approach will lead to British Rally Championship success this year.

Driving at break neck speeds through forests and around mountains, you can hardly describe this as a tortoise and the hare approach, but as a 40-year-old racing against guys in their early twenties you can see what he is getting at.

Wilkinson, from Tunbridge Wells, will be navigator to childhood friend Alan Cookson, who will be driving a Prodrive built Subaru N15 against the best Britain has to offer.

Theirs is quite a story. From night rallying as kids to third place in the national championship in 1990, a decade long semi-retirement ensued before the comeback began. Now after securing extra backing from long-term sponsors Wiseman Dairies, SPAR, KICK Energy drink and Speedline Corse wheels, they are set to compete at a higher level than ever before.

"We are with a very professional outfit (TEG Sport), who know what they are doing," Wilkinson said. "We are set for a two year campaign to see how we fare. You know, these kids we will be racing against are much younger. They are fearless. They will either finish in the top three or will end up barrel rolling into a ditch. We will be consistent and that will give us an advantage at the end of the year...with a bit of luck"

Both Wilkinson and Cookson hail from the Lake District, a perfect breeding ground for motorsport and rallying in particular. They used to tear around the countryside following night rallies until their parents laid down the law with a simple ultimatum.

"Between three or four of us we'd crash a car once a week," Wilkinson recalled. "Our dads were getting sick and tired of it and basically told us to go and do it competitively or stop altogether. So, we built our own car and started competing.

"I found I had a skill in map reading very early on. I never wanted to be a driver.. There's a huge difference between people who think they can drive and those who really can. Alan turned out to be an awesome driver and asked if I wanted to read for him. I've known him for 30 years now. I'm godfather to his kids. One thing you need in the car is familiarity and massive trust."

Success quickly followed and in 1990 the pair finished third in the then BTRDA national clubmen championship. However, by the early nineties, they decided to take a break for family and business reasons before a chance meeting some 10 years later brought them back together.

By this time they'd built up a list of business contacts and sponsors, and had the financial clout to test themselves even more.

Last year they finished fifth in the Ancro British Gravel Championships and now they are ready for their biggest challenge yet - the British Championship, as well as a guest appearance at a round of the Intercontinental Rally Championship in Maderia subject to funding.

Wilkinson said: "This year I'll be very happy if we can score points in the top ten (of the British Championship). Then, in the second year, I'd like us to be in a position to appear in the top six."

The MSA British Rally Championship starts in North Wales on March 27.