“We had no idea of the pace to set,” Wilks said, “so we just had to push hard from the start. But you know you’re trying when there’s 128mph on the clock as you come into the ‘Woodyard’. These fast stages certainly get the heart ticking but we were able to manage the speed after opening a gap early on.
“It’s a shame that Gwyndaf (Evans) missed out on second but the Mitsubishi Motors UK team did a great job again and it stands us in good stead for Rally GB.”
Second place was gifted to current Championship leader Mark Higgins on the last stage of the day, when Evans had a clip come loose on the gear linkage. The Stobart TEG Sport driver admitted he had been trying to keep the pressure on Evans all day.
“I’d like to thank Mitsubishi for helping me bag a few more points,” Higgins joked, but added, “I feel bad for Gwyndaf, he’s had a rough time, but it helps our championship hopes.”
Another moving up a place to take his second podium of the year was Mark’s brother David. His newly acquired Team TQ.com Subaru had lost time early on when he came over a crest and came across a digger in the middle of the road. “We were well on in fifth gear and probably squeezed past at 100mp/h,“ he said. “It threw my confidence for the rest of the stage.”
Gwyndaf Evans eventually finished fourth, and is third in the British Rally Championship points. Mark Higgins still leads the championship with 77 points, followed by Wilks on 61, Evans on 57 and Wyn Humphreys on 56.
The final round of the championship is the WRC event, Rally GB.
Final results:
1. Guy Wilks, Mitsubishi, 1h30m17.5s
2. Mark Higgins, Subaru, +50.3s
3. David Higgins, Subaru, +2m23.2s
4. Gwyndaf Evans, Mitsubishi, +2m59.4s
5. Phil Morrow, Mitsubishi, +4m23.2s
Photos: www.cmwi.net
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