Wilks ready to defend his Rally of Scotland title (From The Northern Echo)

Wilks ready to defend his Rally of Scotland title

10:03pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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GUY Wilks said he was looking forward to defending his Rally of Scotland title as he became the first official entry for next month's event.

Darlington's Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh will again be out for victory in their Skoda Fabia Facelift S2000 as they seek to end their Intercontinental Rally Challenge season on a high between October 15 and 17. Wilks, who was sidelined through injury for several events, sits sixth in the standings and Scotland marks the IRC's crucial penultimate round of 2010.

Many more top-line names from factory-supported teams, including Peugeot, Proton, Ford and Subaru are expected to join Wilks for the event - among them 2009 IRC Champion Kris Meeke in his Peugeot 207 and Scottish hero Alister McRae in his Proton Neo Satria.

Indeed, with Scotland's event coming at such a crucial point in the calendar many predict it could attract the most exciting entry list of the IRC season.

The race is recognised as arguably the most spectacular and challenging rally on the IRC calendar thanks to its classic, high-speed competitive forest stages that run through Perthshire and Stirlingshire.

"Rally of Scotland isn't far away now and I can feel the excitement beginning to build. Having won the event last year, we're really looking forward to returning to try and defend our crown," said the Skoda UK Motorsport driver.

"The stages are some of the best I've ever driven on anywhere in the world and it was great that these hidden gems were uncovered by the international rally scene in 2009, because they certainly deserve their place on an international calendar.

"This year's Rally of Scotland is one month earlier than before, so the conditions should be a lot nicer for competitors and spectators alike.

"I'm expecting a really cracking entry to come to Scotland this year, and everyone will be absolutely flat-out from the very beginning. "Winning the event for a second time in two years won't be easy, but that's our aim and we'll be doing our very best to make it happen."

Tickets can be booked via the official www.rallyofscotland.com website or the hotline 0844 847 2488 Meanwhile, Wilks will be one of the star attractions at the forthcoming Rallyday event at the Castle Combe race circuit in the west of England.

He will perform demonstration laps in the Fabia Super 2000 he has been using in the IRC this season at the show on September 18, which regularly attracts upwards of 10,000 spectators.

Rather than being accompanied by Phil Pugh, Wilks and the Skoda UK team will be donating high speed rides to three charities to auction off. They include Colin McRae Vision, which has a partnership agreement with Eurosport Events, the promoter of the IRC.

CROFT Circuit will host the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship between June 18 and 19 next year.

The season will incorporate ten events and run the length and breadth of the country. Each event will include three points-scoring races.