Motorsport: Deacon targets world glory

John Deacon has set his sights on competing in the 2001 World Motorcycle Rally Championships after equalling his best finish in the Paris-Dakar Rally.

He wants to enhance his reputation in the world of motorcycle rallying but also has one eye on the next Dakar event.

Having already signed an 18-month contract with BMW just before the start of this year's Dakar, Deacon hopes his continued association with the German manufacturer can be put to long-term benefit.

"I want to do the World Rally Championship this year and I will do it with or without BMW being directly involved," said the 38-year-old motorcycle dealer from Plymouth.

If BMW field a factory-backed team Deacon will get full support for the World Championship which starts with the Optic 2001 in Tunisia in April and continues with events in Eastern Europe, Kenya and Dubai.

"I have done plenty of Dakars but I haven't done that many world rally events," said Deacon.

If Deacon does not have the BMW team to back him up at the events he will still benefit from the supply of bikes and spare parts free of charge.

But he is not daunted about raising the money to meet the rest of his costs, such as travelling to events and entry fees.

"When I was a privateer in the Dakar I had to raise all of the money myself and I have a lot of very good sponsors who will support me in whatever I do," said Deacon.

There are other reasons Deacon hopes BMW will back him throughout his proposed World Championship campaign.

"I want to race all of these events and finish as high as I can and they will be good for improving the bike before the next Dakar," he said.