YOUNG BRIT PRETENDERS COME TO WALES RALLY GB
Excitement is mounting for this year’s Wales Rally GB in its new September dates and spectators will be flocking to the event to cheer on today’s rally superstars. With the absence of Colin McRae and Richard Burns, British supporters will be wondering who to cheer for. The good news is that the future of British rallying is looking bright, thanks to the burgeoning talent of Guy Wilks and Kris Meeke. Both Guy and Kris have been tipped for the top and look set to prove themselves in front of a home crowd as Junior World Rally Championship entrants to Wales Rally GB.
Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of Rally GB Limited, comments, “Wales Rally GB is a showcase for British talent and spectators will be thrilled to see two stars of the future like Kris and Guy competing. This world class event is the perfect opportunity to see young talent compete side by side with some of the world’s finest drivers. In a few years, these young pretenders will be driving with WRC teams. This year’s Wales Rally GB gives spectators the chance to see them make significant strides in their careers.”
Guy WilksGuy Wilks is 23 and hails from Darlington. He started rallying in 2000, when he entered a one-make series in the UK. He worked his way up to the prestigious British Rally Championship and finally made it into the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC). Right from the start, Guy was on the pace, which gave him the reputation as the UK’s most promising young driver.
Today, Guy is driving for Dealer Team Suzuki and competes in a Suzuki Ignis Super 1600. Guy drove in his first JWRC in 2003, coming third overall in Finland and Turkey, despite driving a fairly basic Ford. In 2004, Guy has been enjoying a good season, with a win at the Acropolis Rally for the JWRC and third place in Rally Turkey. Spectators at Wales Rally GB will be hoping Guy gives them something to cheer about as they watch one of Britain’s young hopefuls get ready to follow in the footsteps of Richard Burns and Colin McRae.
Kris MeekeThis bright young thing has been dubbed as the next Colin McRae by the man himself. The former champion acts as mentor to Kris, who is managed by McRae Motorsport. Kris started rallying in 2000 and took the British rallying scene by storm. He won a Peugeot competition for new drivers and then entered the Peugeot Super 106 Cup.
Since then, Kris has become 2002 and 2003 British Junior Champion, 2003 British Super 1600 Champion as well as coming second in the Catalunya Rally in the 2003 JWRC. This year Kris was third in Monte Carlo, a notoriously difficult event, proving his worth as one of the UK’s rising young stars.
Kris, 25, is a mechanical engineer from Dungannon, Northern Ireland and worked as a CAD designer for M-Sport, the Ford World Rally Team, before driving took over.
“I am always delighted to see talented young drivers coming up through the ranks and prove their worth at Wales Rally GB” confirmed Andrew Coe. “Guy and Kris will give spectators the chance to support some home-grown talent and watch the drama unfold at the front of the pack. There is plenty to be optimistic about in British rallying and Wales Rally GB is the place to watch it happen.”
