SKODA has snapped up Darlington rally driver Guy Wilks for this year's Rally of Scotland - the final event of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) series.

Wilks. 28 and a double British Rally champion, will drive a UK-sponsored Skoda Fabia Super 2000, run by Rene George Rally Sport, go head-to-head with fellow British rally driver Kris Meeke, this year's winner of the IRC, in what is sure to become a Battle of the Brits. The RACMSA Rally of Scotland features 13 challenging stages on both tarmac and gravel, starting on Thursday, November 19 in Perth and finishes at the stunning Stirling Castle on Saturday, November 21.

Wilks said: "This is a great opportunity for me and I'm really looking forward to driving for Skoda UK. The fact that we are competing on home soil in front of the British fans makes it a really special occasion and I'll definitely be going all out for the win."

Skoda's Robert Hazelwood, UK brand director, added: "The Skoda Fabia Super 2000 has proved itself to be one of the best performing cars in the IRC and delivered fantastic results for our motorsport team. We are thrilled that Guy is competing for us and expect to see him pushing hard for the lead."

Wilks matched Colin McRae by winning back-to-back British titles in 2007 and 2008, and before this, competed successfully in the Junior World Rally Championships for several years.