IF Guy Wilks was feeling the pressure during his debut for Skoda in last year’s Rally of Scotland, he didn’t let it show.

Wilks agreed a one-race deal with the team for the final event in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, and though he finished second behind bitter rival Kris Meeke, he was later elevated to champion after the Peugeot team committed a technical breach.

The Darlington driver’s prowess, coupled with the navigational skills of codriver Phil Pugh, have earned a contract with Skoda for the IRC series.

The 28-year-old, a double British Rally champion, revealed that the offer had been talked about prior to the Rally of Scotland.

“I was told that if we did a good job in Scotland this could be a possibility,” he said. “It was a bit like dangling a carrot in front of a donkey.

“We knew that while we had to do a very good job, it had to be at no risk. We could have gone for glory or be quite sensible, do a very good job and have the potential to come back this year and fight for the title.

“It wasn’t a tease. They were very straightforward, they had to justify it and Skoda UK had to see the benefits of it, and, obviously, they have.”

The deal sees Wilks team up with Skoda UK Motorsport to contest selected rounds of the IRC with a Fabia Super 2000, beginning with the opening round of the series in Monte Carlo next week.

The team will also defend its Rally of Scotland title (October 14-16).

The new operation is an official satellite team, working independently, but closely, with Skoda Motorsport and the car was unveiled at the Autosport International show.

“I was over the moon,”

Wilks said of the announcement. “After the opportunities we have lost in the past, to get this now has put us right back on track.

“We have not been in the wilderness, but this opportunity is the best we have had in probably the last three years. It’s a very good car, well-developed, with backing from Skoda UK. It just makes you feel so much better when there is effectively a manufacturer involved.”

For some time now Wilks has been touted as the next Richard Burns or Colin McRae, and while he will undoubtedly say he is neither, this deal could go some way to realising those claims in the eyes of the public.

“You can never really expect to be anywhere in motorsport because you are reliant on what’s underneath you,” he said.

“It’s not like being a 100m sprinter and only relying on your body. You have to have a good car to put you at the top of the field.”

There are 12 races in the championship and Wilks is currently down to compete in events in Monte Carlo, Argentina, Sardinia, Belgium, Czech Republic and Scotland. However, if all goes well there is a chance other dates could be added.

“You count seven of your best scores and we are doing six and are looking already for additional sponsors to try and extend it,” he said.

“The good thing is that we are doing four out of the first five, so we will have a good idea if it’s worth looking really hard for that budget. I am sure one way or another we will get the budget if we are in a good position.”

So Wilks will be under the spotlight from the off in Monte Carlo, but accepts with customary nonchalance.

“There is pressure whether you are doing one or ten rallies,” he said. “It comes with being a professional sportsman. You are expected to do your best and get results.”

■ Eurosport will devote 14 hours of television time to this year’s Rallye Monte Carlo, with much of the action broadcast live.