JWRC: Wilks: Suzuki WRC car prospects not dead.

by Rob Wilkins

Guy Wilks has revealed that he is still in talks with Suzuki about the possibility of joining them in 2007 or 2008, when they graduate to the 'senior' level with the new SX4 WRC car.

Reports in the media had suggested that neither Wilks or his team-mate, Per-Gunnar Andersson, who spearhead Suzuki's Junior WRC campaign, would be in contention when they step-up, however, Guy has confirmed that such reports don't tell the whole story.

"A lot of things get said - and a lot of things get taken out of context. It is not a case they won't go with us," he confirmed to Crash.net Radio, in the countdown to the Wales Rally GB. "It is just a case of at the moment, the car isn't testing in Europe and there is not a great deal for us to do.

"The team are restructuring it would seem in Paris and you have never got to lose contact with these people. I have developed a good relationship with Suzuki over the last three years and I have just got to if you like shout my corner.

"I haven't got the greatest of WRC car experience but I know I would back myself to do a good job. I have got to prove that to them. So if we can get a couple of drives in a World Rally Car at the start of next year, then we would stand a much better chance of getting that drive."

Pressed on the 'Suzuki question' and if it really is a possibility, Guy insisted that it is definitely not a closed book: "It is one of those things, rallying, like motorsport in general, is such a small community that you should never burn your bridges," he added. "And we are really looking to try and enhance my own profile by getting us more experience of World Rally Cars, but at the same time trying to gain results. But the most important thing is to get myself into a WRC car as soon as possible."

As for what he will need to get a chance in a World Rally Car next season it is clear that it will all comes down to money.

"We are desperately in need of some sponsorship," continued the Brit. "Obviously we are chasing that at the moment. Ideally I would like to be in a WRC car. My 1600 contact is up with Suzuki, so that leaves me free to chase whatever I like - not that we won't be in talks with Suzuki over what is happening with their WRC car for next year [as I mentioned a moment ago]. Ideally I want to be in a competitive WRC car next year.

"I believe in myself. I know I can do a good job and I believe we could surprise a few people. It is just we need an opportunity to get into a car to be able to prove that."

Wilks has proved it so some extent already though, and prior to the Rally of Turkey back in October, he was very impressive on the Cork Rally in Ireland, where he outpaced a number of big names, with considerably more WRC car experience.

"I have had to invest in my own future if you like... and an opportunity arose to go and drive a WRC car in Ireland, against Eugene Donnelly, the current Irish tarmac championship holder, Mark Higgins and Markko Martin - and we thought it was too good an opportunity to miss," he noted. "I couldn't at that point afford to go and do a WRC event in a World Rally Car, so we thought this was the next best thing. We went out there and proved our pace straight away - and definitely did surprise a lot of people. I was comfortably leading Markko by over a minute on the first day and Mark Higgins by 30 seconds, so our pace was definitely proven.

"So it is very frustrating. There are people out there who have been lucky enough to get a chance in a World Rally Car - we just need that luck to get the same opportunity..."