EASINGWOLD sidecar star Steve Webster needs a lucky break if he is to retain his World Championship crown.

Webster is in action at Assen in Holland tomorrow knowing he faces an near impossible task to keep the title he has held for the last four years.

A breakdown when comfortably leading at Oschersleben in Germany gifted Austrian rival Klaus Klaffenbock a 25 point lead, and with only 50 points to play for in the last two races, Klaffenbock only needs to keep finishing to take the title for the first time.

Webster admitted: "It looks like a difficult position - and it is.

"But there are still two races to go and anything could happen. In truth, we need Klaffenbock to breakdown, or spin off or get a puncture or something and for us to win to get back level. It's a long shot, but in racing anything can happen. We haven't given in, or given up hope, and we'll be fighting until the last to keep the title."

To emphasis his point, Webster was fastest in practice in miserable weather yesterday while Klaffenbock didn't appear on the track in the afternoon because of engine trouble.

Klaffenbock said: "We had a slight engine problem and, considering the weather, decided not to take a risk."

Webster has not been without engine troubles himself.

The North Yorkshire ace has had a busy week dashing back from Germany to his workshop to rebuild his 200bhp 1200cc Suzuki in time for tomorrow's race.

The four-mile Assen track may work to Webster's advantage as he's acknowledged by his peers as master of the twisting Dutch track.

Although he has suffered spectacular misfortune there in the past, it has also been the scene of some remarkable victories, including a hat-trick of poles and wins in 1997, 98 and 99.

It will be Webster's 17th visit there for a World Championship race, and he's won four times in all. It's also the 151st World Championship race he has entered.

"Assen is probably my favourite track. It's about the only one that I've been to every year since I started at this level, and although it has changed slightly over the years, I've got to know it very well. It's the sort of track where you have to be very smooth - all the corners flow together, and if you get one wrong, you get the next three wrong. It's very challenging, but very satisfying when you get it right."

With six consecutive pole positions in the previous six rounds to date, it's hard to see Webster getting out-raced if his machine does not falter.

But with the championship hopes now resting on a Klaffenbock no score, a fifth consecutive title might be just too much to ask.

But Webster's fiery will-to-win has not diminished in the slightest and even if the championship seems to be slipping away Yorkshire pride will ensure that he goes looking for the maximum number of wins.

Webster has endured three non-finishes this season but the only time Klaffenbock has beaten him when they have both finished a race was at the season opener in Valencia, in March.

Updated: 12:15 Saturday, September 08, 2001