Grist keeps the faith

McRae and Grist retired from the event after Friday's crash

Despite crashing out of the Network Q Rally of Great Britain on Friday, Nicky Grist remains hopeful of becoming Wales' first world rally champion.

Grist, co-driver of current world rally championship leader Colin McRae, said the 100mph accident which destroyed the car was typical of the type of bad luck the two had endured this year.

Their withdrawal from the championship's final event puts nearest rival Richard Burns in pole position to snatch the title from their grasp.

Burns needs to finish fourth or better to be crowned world champion on Sunday.

Nicky Grist shows off his bit-tongue sustained in Friday's crash

But Grist knows too well that anything can happen before Sunday's chequered flag.

"We've got to think back to 1998 when Tommi Makinen won the championship when his rival Carlos Sainz retired 200 metres from the finish line," said Grist.

"So it's still all to do - Richard Burns has got to do it.

"He's probably under more pressure now than when he was actually rallying against us at full speed.

"He could have a mechanical failure or a silly accident.

"We've just got to sit back and hope for the best."

There's still a possibility we can win the championship

Nicky Grist

Grist walked away from Friday's spectacular crash with only a sore left elbow and a bit-tongue.

He and McRae ended up in a ditch after their Ford Focus car hit a hole which launched them into the air.

"Other than just trying to survive, you just hold on and wait for all the action to stop," said Grist.

"There wasn't a lot to say afterwards. Colin just said sorry.

"It was a sad end to what we were hoping would be a great event.

"But we've got to keep our chins up because there's still a possibility we can win the championship."

Richard Burns is on course to win the world title

If his crowning glory does not come this year, Grist is confident it will come next year.

All they need is a little more luck, he said.

"Historically, we have suffered from a lot of bad luck," added Grist, who became McRae's co-driver in 1997.

"When things start going our way, we'll reap the benefits. Our motivation is as high as it has ever been.

"We just need Lady Luck to smile on us a bit more and hopefully our time will come."