In 1994 Malcolm Wilson OBE piloted the Michelin Pilot Escort RS Cosworth to championship glory in the MSA British Rally Championship.
Twenty years later, the iconic livery will be reunited with the Wilson family as Matthew Wilson takes to the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RRC at the FIA World Rally Championship’s (WRC) similarly iconic finale - Wales Rally GB.
Built and prepared by Malcolm Wilson Motorsport, the Michelin Pilot Escort secured victory on four International rallies during its championship winning year. Tackling the WRC2 series with a Michelin Pilot Sport Fiesta, Wilson Jnr. will be looking to emulate that performance with a successful outing on home soil.
Wilson Jnr. has a vast knowledge of the Welsh fixture having contested the event on nine previous occasions – the majority of which alongside long-term co-driver Scott Martin. Having made their WRC debuts at the event in 2004, the pairing will be reunited for the 10th anniversary of their first appearance on the world stage.
In their WRC careers, Wilson and Martin contested 57 events together and secured fourth place finishes at Rally Japan in 2007 and again at Rally Australia in 2011.
Making a return to the stages, Wilson Jnr. is looking forward to entertaining the home crowd with one of the sport’s most celebrated and recognisable liveries.
Matthew Wilson said:
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been behind the wheel of a rally car in competition and I can’t wait to get out and experience some of Wales Rally GB’s most legendary stages. Scott [Martin, co-driver] and I are really looking forward to entertaining the home fans and to be able to do it with such a well-known livery is a real honour.
“The Michelin Pilot Sport car is an important part of British rally history; as well as for us in the Wilson family. It is recognised all over the world and I would like to thank Michelin for their support in bringing this iconic livery back to the stages.”
M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said:
“I had two fantastic years driving the Michelin Pilot Escort RS Cosworth and enjoyed wonderful support from Michelin. It’s great to see that Matthew [Wilson] is able to bring the livery back to the stages in celebration of the 20th anniversary of our [BRC] championship winning year.
“It’s hard to believe that it has been 20 years since I was driving the Michelin Pilot Escort. I still get asked about it today which I think goes to prove how fondly it is remembered within the rally community.
“It’s been a while since Matthew [Wilson] has contested a WRC event, but I have no doubt that he and Scott [Martin, co-driver] will have a lot of fun and give the spectators another British crew to support.”
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