GUY Wilks survived a battering to a take a class victory in the Rally of Cyprus yesterday.

Cyprus is the sixth rally of the World Championship, and part of Suzuki's eight- rally programme outside of the Junior World Rally Championship designed to build up experience and knowledge for the future.

Conditions were extremely hot and rough, with several drivers comparing it to the legendary Safari Rally in Africa.

Cyprus is also the slowest rally of the World Championship, characterised by sharp rocks and several tight hairpin bends. This makes it one of the most challenging events of the year, putting an incredible strain on drivers, cars and tyres.Temperatures peaked at over 30 degrees centigrade and punctures were a constant risk.

Darlington driver Wilks took the class lead on the opening stage of the rally in his Suzuki Ignis and never lost it, although he was forced to stop after the opening loop of stages as the abrasive surfaces had shredded his tyres to the canvas.

Rather than drive with illegal tyres on the road section he decided to take advantage of world rally's re-start regulations, which allow drivers to have their cars recovered to service and re-start the following leg with a penalty of five minutes for every stage missed.

On the second day Wilks continued to set an impressive pace before hitting a large rock in the afternoon, which pushed the wheel back into the arch. On the final day, he drove carefully to the finish while testing some components that will be used in Greece.

Wilks, second in the Junior World Rally Championship points standings, said: "These are by far the roughest conditions I've ever driven in: the stages are not really suited to a Super 1600 car at all.

"There is no way you can avoid punctures, and some of the rocks are bigger than footballs.

"Nonetheless, I've been very impressed by the way our Ignis stood up to the constant battering. It's nice to have another class win, but the main thing from this event is that we have learnt a lot and we're looking in good shape for Greece."

The next round of the Junior World Rally Championship, the Acropolis Rally, takes place in a month - but Wilks will be back in action in two week's time for the all-gravel Rally of Turkey from June 3-5.

* Race fans wanting to take advantage of cut-price advance ticket offers for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Croft over the weekend of June 3 to 5 have only until this weekend to do so as from Monday they will be reverting to full price.

Advance purchase adult admission costs just £20 for Sunday or a weekend admission pass is priced at £25 and strictly limited Grandstand tickets cost just £8.

From Monday, prices increase to £12 for Saturday, £25 for Sunday or a weekend ticket costing £30.

Published: 16/05/2005