For Dealer Team Suzuki
Dealer Team Suzuki’s driver Guy Wilks was crowned 2004 British Super 1600 Rally Champion and British Junior Rally Champion after the Trackrod Rally, despite not even competing in the event. Wilks’ only challenger for the British titles, Jonnie Wigmore (Ford Puma) finished third in class on this weekend’s event in Yorkshire, giving Wilks an unassailable lead going into next month’s final round.
Wilks is also still firmly in contention for the Junior World Rally Championship after finishing second in the Super 1600 class at this weekend’s Rally d’Italia on the island of Sardinia. The 23-year-old from Darlington was part of a stunning Suzuki lock-out of the top four places, with Per-Gunnar Andersson winning from Wilks by 2m 14.2s and the team’s other drivers Mirco Baldacci and Kosti Katajamaki following the Englishman home.
“Another fantastic result for Suzuki where we locked-out the podium,” commented Suzuki Team Manager Risto Laine. “All the drivers have been in great form and once again we have proven the incredible reliability and performance of the Ignis.”
Guy goes into the final round in Catalunya with a three point lead over team mate Andersson (Suzuki Ignis) and will now be trying to become a triple rally champion, when he tackles the Spanish tarmac event at the end of October. He commented: “I’m really fired up for the challenge in the Junior World Rally Championship at the final round in Spain. I’ll be giving it my best shot to add the world championship to my two British titles and finish what would be a terrific year for myself, Phil and Suzuki GB.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic at winning the two British Championships, although to win it when not competing feels slightly strange! I’m very pleased for Suzuki GB, because they have put faith in myself and co-driver Phil Pugh and money in British Rallying, and we’ve come up trumps. To be champions in our first year is very, very satisfying.
“I want to thank everyone involved in the team this year, everyone from Suzuki GB, the team Monster Sport Europe and my co-driver Phil Pugh. I hope Suzuki’s success in this year’s British Championship will help give more credit to the championship and encourage more manufacturers into the sport.
Wilks’ co-driver Phil Pugh (Towyn, Gwynedd) was equally pleased his driver had secured two British titles, although he needs a further four points from the Tempest Rally in Aldershot to secure the British Super 1600 co-drivers’ title.
He said: “To put my feelings into words is fairly difficult, needless to say I’m extremely pleased for everyone involved in this year’s British campaign. We’ll be celebrating for a couple of days before concentrating on trying to win the Junior World Rally Championship at the end of the month.”
Dealer Team Suzuki’s Assistant Team Manager, Ian Phillipson, said: “Guy and Phil have deservedly won the two British titles, having produced great performances to secure five class wins out of seven events this season. Now they have a great chance of making 2004 a truly memorable year if they can produce another good Junior World Rally Championship performance on Rally Catalunya.”
In the British Rally Championship, Wilks’ replacement driver for the Trackrod Rally, Leon Pesticcio (Bridgend, South Wales) drove superbly in the Yorkshire mud to clinch Super 1600 honours and, in doing so, help Wilks secure his British titles.
The 22-year-old won seven of the 14 stages to win by over seven minutes from Barry Clarke (Ford Puma) to secure only his second Super 1600 class win on a British Rally.
He said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this weekend and I’m delighted to have won the Super 1600 class for myself and for Dealer Team Suzuki. This weekend was hugely important for me to show just how quick I can be in a competitive car, while I also needed to drive sensibly to get the car to the finish.”
Ian Phillipson said: “Leon must be commended for his professional and intelligent drive this weekend. He did everything we asked of him and showed he could push when necessary. Leon drove for the team and I’m sure his success in this event will not go unnoticed by the rallying hierarchy.”
Mark Higgins/Bryan Thomas (Ford Focus WRC), finishing 2m 25.3secs ahead of Jonny Milner’s Subaru Impreza WRC, won the Trackrod Rally.
