Dealer Team Suzuki’s driver Guy Wilks is now just two points away from clinching the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Super 1600 Championship after he secured his fifth successive maximum points in the on the Ulster Rally, 4 September. Wilks finished second in class and 8th overall in the Armagh-based event.
Wilks (Darlington), and co-driver Phil Pugh (Towyn, Gwynedd) won seven of the 19 stages and finished second in the other 12 stages to finish just 1.4 seconds behind Gwyndaf Evans/Huw Lewis (Ford Puma). Wilks secured the maximum 20 points for winning the Super 1600 class because Evans is not registered for the British Championship.
Wilks’ main Super 1600 Championship rival Jonnie Wigmore crashed out on stage 14 meaning Wilks will win the championship if he finishes the Tempest Rally (6-7 November).
Wilks (aged 23), said: “Although we just missed out on winning the Super 1600 class it was important we secured the maximum 20 points. The Super 1600 Championship is what we have aimed for all season, so there was no point in racing against Gwyndaf.”
Pugh (aged 33), said: “The Ulster Rally has been a tough event with stiff competition from Gwyndaf and pressure on Guy and myself to finish with points for the Championship. We’re now so close to securing the title and we are determined not to slip up.”
Added Wilks: “I had no reason to take any risks during the rally as Gwyndaf Evans is not a registered BRC driver, and therefore doesn’t score points. We’ve proved we had the measure of him by setting fastest times on seven of the stages and finishing so close to him.”
Wilks and Pugh will miss the next British event due to Junior World Rally Championship commitments in Italy but will return on the last event of the season, the Tempest Rally, November 6-7.
The duo will now prepare for Rally GB and the next round of the Junior World Rally Championship (17-19 September) with the next British event being the Trackrod Rally (2-3 October). Wilks and Pugh are currently in third place in the Junior World Championship and will be hoping for a similar result to Ulster in South Wales on Rally GB.
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