GUY WILKS is the new leader of the pack in the Super 1600 class of the British Rally Championship after sealing a terrific win in the Isle of Man at the weekend.

The Darlington driver produced a stunning drive in his Suzuki Ignis on the Manx International Rally to secure his fourth successive maximum points score in the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Super 1600 Championship.

The 23-year-old Dealer Team Suzuki driver also finished a superb tenth overall in the demanding event.

Wilks and co-driver Phil Pugh won 17 of the 23 special stages in the Super 1600 class to finish nearly three minutes ahead of local driver Nigel Cannell (Vauxhall Corsa Kit Car). Barry Clarke (Ford Puma) was third.

A gearbox problem on the penultimate stage almost cost Wilks the victory.

But, after being stuck in neutral for 15 minutes in the road section between stages 22 and 23, he was able to find third gear and completed the rally, albeit a little slower than he would have liked.

The result propels Wilks into a commanding 18-point lead in the Super 1600 Championship after previous leader Jonnie Wigmore (Ford Puma) was forced to retire during Friday's second leg following an accident.

"I'm elated to have won the Manx Rally and be leading the Super 1600 Championship after such a demanding three days," said Wilks.

"It has proved most demanding for team, car, Phil, and myself but we've come through with flying colours.

"Our hearts were in our mouths before stage 23 as we thought the gearbox problem had cost us the rally, but we managed to clear the stage after making a temporary fix following a lot of heated debate between Phil and myself!"

Wilks, who now heads to Finland for this weekend's next round of the Junior World Rally Championship, said there were still things that needed to be worked on before he would be totally happy with the car.

"The car was nervous and twitchy during the first day, but having built up a good lead I was able to take things a little easier and test different settings on the tar surface with the next British event, Ulster, in mind," he said.

Jonny Milner and co-driver Nicky Beech (Subaru Impreza WRC) won the Manx International Rally finishing just over a minute and a half ahead of Kenny McKinstry and Noel Orr.

Published: 02/08/2004