DENNIS Hobbs is determined to repay the faith shown in him after joining British Superbike outfit Team Nvidia.

The Guisborough rider, who has raced as a privateer in the British Superbike Cup for the past two seasons, has had to fight back from serious injury after a massive smash at Croft last year.

The 22-year-old endured a six-and-a-half hour operation to stabilise the damage to his C7 and C8 neck vertebrae sustained in a 140mph smash in testing.

He has since battled back to fitness and is looking forward to his new challenge.

NVIDIA's move to the British Superbike Championship follows an exciting first year in the sport for the team - it took British Championship race wins and the Irish Championship.

Hobbs believes he can only enhance the team's credentials.

"The chance of joining a professional team with a successful history has always been my goal," said Hobbs.

"Team NVIDIA has seen past my injury and has plans for my development; I intend to repay their faith in me with results."

l Last year's winners Kevin Procter and co-driver Mike Gilby will lead a near 70 car field away from the start as the Ripon Land Rover Riponian Stages Rally on Sunday.

After winning his home event for the first time in 2004, the local businessman changes from a Subaru Impreza to Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4 for the annual Ripon Motor Sport Club event and having had chance to look at the entry list, he expects a tough battle to try to hang onto his crown.

"Obviously I'd love to win again but there are a number of drivers in top cars who will be just as determined as me," said Procter.

"The Motoscope Puma has been recently rebuilt and is more than capable of matching the speed of the other cars but it's going to be very tough when you are up against such quality as is the case this year."

Northallerton drivers include the Ford Escort's of Charlie Taylor and Darren Grimston while Sutton's Amanda Cornforth brings her Ford Ka and Wiggington's Nicola Harper her Skoda Felicia.

Three regional championships, including the Walkers Garage/Tecno 2 ANECCC Stage Rally Championship, the Kent Cams ANCC Forest Rally Championship and the Road Runner Phoenix Awards ANEMMC Stage Rally Championship, are incorporated into the rally which gets underway at 8.30am from Lightwater Valley.