PP:
That is the idea. We go to Australia and we will see how I feel. But by then the entry will be in for GB. I will be on it and so I will have to be there!
Crash.net:
Looking at the BRC generally, what do you think of the championship this year?
PP:
It has been quite difficult. Obviously Mark [Higgins]’s Subaru has really come on this year. It is a very good package and a lot stronger than last year. They say the Subaru is old but the Mitsubishi is three or four years old as well. They are both at the end of their development. It will probably be a fight to the last stage again.
Crash.net:
Guy launched the ‘Wilks 500 Club’ back in the summer, potentially that could help put you both in a works’ Subaru in the WRC next year. That must be exciting?
PP:
It was another reason for me not to rush my comeback. Looking long term I didn’t want to jump back in and then potentially miss out on that. I did think of doing the Ulster but I probably would have had to have done it on crutches! It is a long term plan and I still feel young enough and fit enough to carry on next year. Hopefully I will be with him.
Crash.net:
How is the ‘Wilks 500 Club’ going?
PP:
It is going well. He probably has about a third of the funding he needs and he has obviously got a deadline with the ‘blue team’ – Subaru - to tell them whether he takes the car or not. I think the next two or three weeks are quite critical. We need everybody to try and support him and get that Brit in a blue car.
Crash.net:
Staying with the WRC, do you think Mikko Hirvonen can beat Sebastien Loeb and take the 2008 WRC drivers’ title?
PP:
It is going to be quite difficult for Mikko - even though he goes a bit better on tarmac than he would probably like to admit. If you look back two or three years ago when he was in a private Focus he had a fantastic third overall in Spain. He is capable of driving well and if Loeb makes just the smallest mistake I think Mikko could be in there. It is not over yet.
