EIGHT times sidecar World Champion Steve Webster will have the No1 plate on his machine for the last time for at least another season when he wraps up his 2001 campaign at the famous Imola circuit in Italy tomorrow.

An injury to passenger Paul Woodhead at the last race two weeks ago made it impossible for Webster to make up the points gap on Austrian Klaus Klaffenbock, who took his first World Championship, and with it that coveted No 1 plate for the 2002 season.

Webster's aim is to show nevertheless he's still the fastest even though he's no longer World Champion, and regain second place overall in the championship standings.

And to underline his determination he dominated the first day of practice yesterday, two seconds faster than his nearest rival Steve Abbott.

"Klaus has won it fair and square but at the same time I don't feel we've been out-ridden," said Webster.

"We've had some really terrible luck this season with two mechanical breakdowns and Paul being injured twice.

"I've never had four non-finishes in a season before but it's happened and in some ways it makes it easier to swallow.

"But that's not to say Klaus doesn't deserve to win the title. He's tried really hard for a long time, and maybe it'll be good for the sport.

"But we've always been quick this year, getting pole positions and when we've had to retire it's been when we've been leading the race.

"We were very late in starting to get the team together at the start of the season, so if we can get second in the championship, it won't be a bad result overall.

"I still feel as competitive as I've ever done, so I don't mind losing it too much knowing that we've got a pretty good chance of getting it back next year."

The Imola circuit has only entertained Webster once before, way back in 1983 in what was his third ever Grand Prix entered.

Eighteen years, 151 Grand Prix and eight World Championships later, and Webster although relegated to second is in his prime. He's been on pole for the last seven consecutive races and the chance of what is in reality a new circuit - chicanes have been added since Ayrton Senna's fatal crash in 1994 - still gives him the motivation needed to keep at the top level. Since 1986 he's not finished lower than third in the championship, apart from his comeback year in 1995 when he only raced at the final round.

"It'll take us a few laps to find the way round, but I'm looking forward to the challenge of a new track. I want to win to show Klaffy we're not finished, and he'll want to win to show everyone he's a deserving World Champion.

"It's going to be tough race because no-one has any reason to play it safe with the championship decided."

Updated: 12:00 Saturday, September 29, 2001