by Rob Wilkins


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH DARREN GASS: CLICK HERE


Inaugural Pirelli Star Driver winner Darren Gass unveiled his prize car, a 'top-spec' Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, at the Autosport International Show recently. Crash.net caught up with the youngster and spoke to him about the coming year...


Crash.net:
Darren, obviously winning the Pirelli Star Driver competition was a major boost for you and your career. How much are you looking forward to the Pirelli International Rally now and the start of the 2008 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship?

Darren Gass:
I am looking forward to it - although it is still a while away yet, there is three months to go. But we will have a few days testing before to get comfortable and get the set-up right.

Crash.net:
How big an opportunity is this and how important is it for you to make the most of it?

DG:
It is a great chance given to me by Pirelli and the MSA British Rally Championship is the best series at the minute in the UK. There is great competition and it is well recognised. I will have to give it my all and then see how we get on.

Crash.net:
How difficult was the shoot-out competition back in December?

DG:
All the competitors gave there best and I was very pleased to be the winner at the finish of it. I have to try and prove now that they made the correct decision.

Crash.net:
Did you think before you went into the shoot-out that you could win and beat the likes of Barry Clark, Matt Beebe and James Wozencroft?

DG:
I was quite confident before it started but at the end of the day everybody had a chance. It was just down to how everyone performed over the two days and I was fortunate enough to win.

Crash.net:
What will it be like switching to a Group N car having used a Fiesta S1600 and a Citroen C2 in 2007?

DG:
I don't think it should be a problem changing to a Group N car. It is probably a little bit easier today than the Super 1600. It is obviously a lot faster and probably a little bit deceiving - with the speed and such. But I don't reckon it will be a big issue. I haven't driven the Mitsubishi yet of course - but I am not really that bothered about it.

Crash.net:
How much will your experience of the BRC events from '07 help you in 2008?

DG: