Malcolm Wilson believes that Ford's 'B' team, the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team, are in 'quite' a strong position going to Rally GB.

The Stobart squad moved back in front of Subaru in the manufacturers' championship on the recent inaugural Rally Ireland and following the strong run there, Wilson Sr reckons that they stand a very good chance of staying in front of the Banbury-based outfit and securing the 'bronze medal'.

Indeed Stobart Ford's two nominated drivers', Jari-Matti Latvala and Henning Solberg both have a lot of experience of the Rally GB and that will definitely be advantageous.

"The Stobart team are in quite a strong position now and I genuinely believe they can beat the Subaru team in Wales," Malcolm confirmed.

"Both Jari-Matti and Henning have a huge amount of experience here which will count for a lot in the slippery conditions.

"They have also both performed very well on gravel this year so it would be fantastic if they can string it together and hang onto the place in the manufacturers' championship.

"Hopefully, too, they can help Marcus [Gronholm – one of Ford's 'A' team drivers] with his quest to win his first drivers' championship with the BP-Ford team."

As for his son, Matthew, who as normal will drive the 'third' Stobart Ford car, Malcolm is keen to see him end the year well and ideally score points, like he has done on the last two events.

"Matthew has experience of this event and will be competing here for the third time in his career. Hopefully he will be able to build on the last two rallies and score points again; this will be a good platform for him going into next year's championship," Wilson Sr summed-up.