Guy lifts Skoda on team debut (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Guy lifts Skoda on team debut

3:22pm Friday 29th January 2010 in

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THE TEAM at Sparshatts of Botley have been thrilled by the Skoda Britons Guy Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh’s great drive in the opening round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC), the gruelling Monte Carlo Rally.

Skoda entered a trio of Fabia Super 2000s for the series and Sparshatts of Botley is backing the Skoda UK Motorsport team every step of the way.

On his first asphalt rally in a Fabia S2000 Wilks achieved the team’s goal by finishing in a strong sixth place on the Rallye Monte Carlo to make the team championship leaders.

The Darlington driver – who celebrated his 29th birthday during the event – scored three points to make an encouraging start to his 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

Guy drove intelligently and faultlessly throughout the four-day event of 251 stage miles.

Consistency proved the key to success, as he set 13 top-ten fastest stage times out of 15 without a scratch on his Fabia – despite extremely challenging snow and ice-covered mountain stages.

Sparshatts’ Ben Jellet said: “At Sparshatts we are thrilled that Guy and Phil have joined the Skoda UK Motorsport team and expect our loyal customers feel just the same. “We are anticipating more people will come through our doors and sales to increase as rally fans see what great cars Skoda produces. We are backing the team one hundred per cent.”

Tyre choice was critical on the twisty Alpes-Maritimes roads, with sections of sheet ice, especially on the ascent to the Col de Turini, soaring 1,607 metres above Monaco.

Wilks said: “It’s been a fantastic rally – very difficult, but fantastic. Skoda UK Motorsport is such a new team, and this is the first time I’ve rallied a Fabia S2000 on tarmac.

“The car hasn’t missed a beat and if you consider that Rallye Monte Carlo is one of the most difficult events in the world, a points-scoring finish is a fantastic result. We’ve stuck to our plan of taking no risks and getting mileage in the car, and it’s paid dividends.

“This is a very encouraging start to the IRC, and we’re looking forward to going to Brazil and Argentina for the next two gravel events.”

IRC points (Drivers’) after Round 1: 1, Mikko Hirvonen (Ford Fiesta) – 10; 2, Juho Hanninen (Skoda Fabia) – 8; 3, Nicolas Vouilloz (Skoda Fabia) – 6; 4, Stephane Sarrazin (Peugeot 207) – 5; 5, Jan Kopecky (Skoda Fabia) – 4; 6, Guy Wilks (Skoda Fabia) – 3.

IRC points (Manufacturers’) after Round 1: 1, Skoda – 14; 2, M-Sport – 10; 3, Peugeot – 9; 4, Subaru – 5; 5, Mitsubishi – 1.