Drivers: Matthew Wilson (
Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team),
Valentino Rossi (Stobart VK M-Sport Ford Rally Team),
Petter Solberg (
Subaru WRT) and
Jari-Matti Latvala (
BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRT).
Press conference:
Q:
Matthew, Wales Rally GB is your home event, you are nominated to score manufacturer points and it marks the 50th WRC outing for the Stobart team; a big weekend lies ahead for you then?
Matthew Wilson:
It's fantastic for Stobart to have achieved 50 world rallies. If you had thought back in 2004 that we would have done 50 events it would have looked a long way off. It is a big event for the team and for me it a home rally and carries a lot of pressure – but it's no different from previous years in that respect.
Q:
You have been there since the start of the Stobart team's journey in WRC. What does the future hold for the team? Will we see it continue in 2009?
MW:
To get the news last night from the Ford side was a big help and yes, it is looking really promising and I hope we will be here next year. There are a few little things to sort out and I think at the minute it's looking good but it would help even more if we could get a good result here. But like I say it is looking strong so hopefully we will be there in 2009.
Q:
This event has always been tough and this year we see the re-introduction of the classic stages in Mid Wales, Sweet Lamb and Myherin. What did you think of them when you did the reconnaissance? Is it going to be tougher than last year?
MW:
If you look at the weather we had on the recce it is going to be tougher this year for sure! I think it's a shame that the conditions are bad up there because the stages look really nice. They are fast in places and it would have been really nice to drive them in normal conditions.
Q:
You have tested for this event, how did that go?
MW:
It was good. We did about 200 kilometres and even had Mikko (Hirvonen) up there on the Friday for a couple of hours, giving me a little tuition if you like! It was a great benefit as straight away you come to the shakedown and you're not using it as a test any more. You are making sure everything is okay so you can start the rally with a bit more of an advantage.
