GW:
I always hope to do some events in the WRC. It is just whether that becomes a reality. It is so difficult at the moment. Some people seem to be lucky enough to get the opportunities and some people don't. It is as simple as that. That is the same in every walk of life. But it is not something we are giving up on. We are definitely working hard. We would love the opportunity, Phil and I, to get in a competitive car and really give it a good crack. I think that is the only opportunity we would like to take. We need to get into a really up-to-date car and see what we can do. We need a few events on the trot to really prove ourselves.
Crash.net:
Any idea when your WRC programme might begin, because I know you have been quoted as saying it definitely won't be for the first four events...
GW:
I think that is just common sense more than anything else with what the four events are and the time scale leading up to that. It was a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment if you like. Being realistic it would be nice to be out there doing something by the middle of the year. But it is all requiring budget as normal. Like I said though, it is not something we are going to give up on.
Crash.net:
Are you still looking for £1 million to finance it?
GW:
No, I was asked how much it would cost to do ten events and that is pretty much what you are looking at and what would give you a good programme. That is the approximate figure. That would be like the lottery coming up. But it is not to say we are close to gaining that figure at all. We are only just starting. You just finish one year and you are straight into the next year. You have just got one lot of budget and then you are looking for the next lot. We will see happens.
Crash.net:
Are there any cars in particular you want to use or is it a case of every option is open?
GW:
Every option is always open but you have to look at the most competitive cars really and the most competitive cars at the moment seem to be the Citroen and the Ford. The Subaru definitely seems to be OK and they have done work on it over the off-season, but they have not made a great change. David Richards [Subaru boss] has been quoted as saying they need to stop work on that car and concentrate on making the new car better now, which I think is definitely a wise move. But they have started the year reasonably well in Monte Carlo with the old car. It would have to be then an S12 or 06 Focus or a C4 really. The Xsara is a good car but you have got to be in or have something similar to what the top guys are using in order to know exactly where you stand against them.
Crash.net:
It is a case of watch this space at the moment then?
GW:
Definitely, but I wouldn't watch too closely too soon! There is nothing coming on the horizon that I can really talk about as such. There is nothing to talk about. But I would like to think by the middle of the year - or just before really – that we will have something in the pipeline.
Crash.net:
Are there any other things in consideration in addition to the BRC and WRC?
GW:
There is nothing else really in consideration. The WRC is where I want to be. People have said about the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and it is not that I discount the IRC. It is just a case of I want to try and get in the WRC. Why look at anything else if that is what you are forging your way towards? I believe we are good enough to be there. It is as simple as that and we will continue to work towards it.
