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 teams 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.”

Henning is feeling especially bullish: “I will be going flat out on this rally I promise you,” he added. “All the Stobart Ford guys will be going hard, firstly for Stobart to be number three in the manufacturers' championship and secondly to help Marcus [Grönholm] win the drivers' championship; this is very important.”


Munchi's Ford WRT:

[Luis-Perez Companc, car #11 and Federico Villagra, car #12]

Munchi's still high.

Following on from their breakthrough performance on the Rally Japan, the Munchi's Ford World Rally Team has got a taste for points heading to the final round of the WRC in Wales.

A fifth and seventh place finish for Luis Perez Companc and Frederico Villagra in Japan proved the first time either driver had finished inside the top eight this year.

It is a result that gives both plenty of confidence heading to the Rally GB, another event that is renowned for having a particularly high attrition rate.

However, while Companc expects the muddy stages to be akin to those in Japan, he accepts he will probably find things difficult on his event debut.