GUY Wilks achieved his goal by finishing in a points-scoring sixth place in the Monte Carlo Rally.
The Darlington driver scored three points to make an encouraging start to his 2010 Intercontinental Rally Challenge in the Skoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000.
Co-driven by Phil Pugh, Wilks drove faultlessly throughout the four-day event. He set 13 top ten fastest stage times out of 15 and didn’t put a scratch on his Fabia S2000, despite extremely challenging snow and ice covered mountain stages.
A stunning second fastest time on the opening stage of Leg 3 (SS11) saw Wilks move up two places to fifth.
With just four stages north of Monaco remaining, it was going to be an exciting finale as just 49.9 seconds separated Wilks and the ninthplaced driver.
Wilks took winter tyres for the first loop of two stages, and while this was a good choice for the ice, he lost more time that he’d gained on the dry sections.
Returning to the harbour in Monte Carlo, Wilks was back in seventh, 1.9 seconds behind Jan Kopeck.
He then completed a copybook performance, moving up one place after Sebastien Ogier retired.
“It’s been a fantastic rally – very difficult, but fantastic,”
said Wilks afterwards.
“The car hasn’t missed a beat and if you consider the Monte Carlo Rally is one of the most difficult events in the world, a points-scoring finish is a fantastic result.”
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