Mitsubishi wins appeal and confirms entry in Wales Rally GB

The Mitsubishi Motors UK works Rally Team is delighted to announce that its appeal against Guy Wilks’ exclusion from September’s Rally Yorkshire was upheld at a Motor Sports Council National Court hearing on Wednesday 26th November.

The decision sees Wilks and his co-driver David Moynihan reinstated as winners of the event, which represented round six of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. Consequently, the team’s points score is also reinstated, which means it now has the opportunity of challenging to retain its British Driver’s and Team’s titles at this year’s Wales Rally GB.

“Naturally we are delighted with the outcome of the hearing”, said General Manager of Ralliart Paul Brigden. “We build our cars in accordance to the rules and the decision by the MSC confirms this.”

The circumstance which brought about Wilks’ initial exclusion was a protest alleging that the upper part of his car’s steering column did not comply to Group N regulations. However, the MSC National Court agreed that although it was not the homologated item, it complied with Appendix J of the FIA International Sporting Code, article 254, section 6.7.3, which states that the controls may be adapted to facilitate their use and accessibility.

After crossing the line one-and-a-half minutes ahead of his rivals in Yorkshire, Wilks was over the moon to hear that his deserving victory had been reinstated and was delighted that he now has the opportunity challenge for the championship title for the second year in succession:

“It is great news to know that I’ve got my Yorkshire win back and therefore still be in with a shot at the championship,” said Wilks. “I am now really looking forward to Rally GB and I am more determined than ever to bring back the title, not just for me but for the team, as it has been a difficult few weeks for them as well. Bring it on!”

For Gwyndaf Evans, confirmation of the team’s entry for the Rally GB is also good news, with this year seeing the 20th time the former British Champion and highly-experienced Welshman has taken part in the UK’s round of the World Rally Championship:

“It would have been such a disappointment for the whole team not to have had the chance to compete in the Rally GB”, said Evans. “For me, it is great to have the opportunity to compete in this event for the 20th time – especially as it’s on my home ground. It will be a tough event, but rest assured I’ll be trying my hardest to provide the best result possible for the team. They deserve it.”

The Wales Rally GB kicks off with a ceremonial start in Cardiff on Thursday evening. The action starts on Friday morning with eight stages in the forests of south and mid-Wales before the overnight halt in Swansea. A further seven stages take place on Saturday, the last being the spectacular showcase spectator stage inside Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. Four more stages are run on Sunday, with the finish ceremony held in Cardiff that afternoon.