NORTH Yorkshire's seven-times sidecar world champion Steve Webster is one race away from a place in the record books as the greatest sidecar racer of all time.

He is in action tomorrow at Brands Hatch for the 11th and final round of the 2000 FIM Sidecar World Cup, and needs to finish only fourth, even if rival Klaus Klaffenbock wins, to take the 2000 title.

If Webster succeeds it will bring him an all-time record eighth world title.

Webster, of Easingwold, has won the series for the last three years and is desperate to make it four in a row.

"It's been a long, tough season. We started out in South Africa back in April and whoever wins the title - me or Klaffy - will deserve it.

"It's certainly been the toughest year since I came back from retirement in 1996," said the reigning world champion.

It has been five weeks since the last race, at Oschersleben in Germany, and Webster has had plenty of time to consider his situation and possible tactics for tomorrow.

"As long as we get fourth we'll be okay. Hopefully we'll get a decent qualifying position and a good start. Ideally, I'd like to get some fast laps in early on and try to put distance between us and the pack.

"We'll be using the softer compound 'B' tyre, rather than the harder grade we've used most of the year.

"My main hope is that it doesn't rain. If that happens we're likely to get someone trying to go a bit faster than he can usually go, and getting a bit excited.

"I was like that when I was starting out, but it means we'll have to be careful to keep out of the way of anyone who is going beyond their usual limits.

"Klaffy has to go all out for a win. I'd like to think we can clear off early on and leave him but we'll probably end up going for a 'safe' set-up which will take the edge off the bike and follow him round for second or third.

"Obviously the main aim is to win the title, but if we get into a good chance of winning the race, we'll go for it. But while I've had time to consider what to try to do, after that green light goes tomorrow afternoon it's going to be a race, plain and simple.

"You plan all sorts of tactics, but until it starts for real there isn't so much time to think.

"I think the weather could dictate it. We haven't had a wet race this season and it's pretty late in the year, so if it does rain someone from the pack could come through.

"Maybe if I find myself second on the last lap I'll try to get past, but any position that gets us enough points to win the title is what we are looking for.

"Klaffy has had a good year too, so whoever gets it, it'll be fair and right," said Webster.

The race will be Webster's 142nd world championship race entered and his 11th with Paul Woodhead in the chair.

Webster has won 43, with 33 second places and 25 third places. That also means in 121 point-scoring finishes, he's been on the rostrum 101 times - 82 per cent of his finishes.

The added incentive tomorrow is the chance to go to the top of the all-time list. At present Webster and retired Swiss ace and former rival Rolf Biland have seven each.