GUY and co-driver Phil Pugh finished second on Rally International de Curitiba today to move up to second place in the IRC championship standings.
On his first event in Brazil, Guy drove brilliantly in the Skoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000 to hold second position throughout the challenging two-day event.
It was a great event for Škoda, with all three Fabia S2000 finishing in the top four.
Juho Hänninen took third, while Jan Kopecký was fourth. The excellent
result sees Škoda increase its lead in the IRC Manufacturers’ standings, while Hänninen
leads the drivers – just three points ahead of Guy.
A violent overnight thunderstorm made Leg 2’s stages very wet – so wet that a swollen river
forced the cancellation of two stages.
A deep river crossing was Guy’s only problem of the day.
On his first attempt (SS10) he took it slowly in first gear, but water still got into the
engine, leaving him running on three cylinders for a mile.
When the stage was repeated in the afternoon (SS13) he took the watersplash much faster, only for the force of the water to tear off part of the rear bumper and jet water into the cockpit.
Guy kept the leader in his sights during the second and final day of the Rally International de
Curitiba, driving fast enough to be able to pounce on any misfortune or mistake ahead, whilst
keeping the following drivers behind.
This Guy did expertly, judging his drive to second place with perfection.
Guy said: “I’m really pleased to finish second and score eight points for Škoda UK on our
first visit to Brazil. The team has done a great job and the Fabia S2000 has performed
faultlessly throughout the event.
“Congratulations to Kris Meeke, he’s driven a good event. The only difference was that he’s
rallied here before, and we had to get acclimatised to attacking these stages at rally speed
for the first time.
“I’ve really enjoyed Rally Brazil. The overnight rain made the conditions very tricky and the
stages were the fastest I’ve driven since Rally Finland in 2007. It’s been a tough event, but
we’ve been very strong throughout and finished with a great result.”
Škoda UK Motorsport will remain in South America for a week of training and team building
before starting to prepare for the next round of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, Rally
Argentina, which begins on 19 March in Villa Carlos Paz.
Rally International de Curitiba results (top six)
1. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000)… 1:42:45.4
2. Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+46.7
3. Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+1:20.20
4. Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+1:49.3
5. Bruno Magalhăes/Carlos Magalhăes (Peugeot 207 S2000)…+2:16.2
6. Eduardo Scheer/Geferson Pavinatto (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)…+14:00.4
IRC points (Drivers’) after Round 2
1. Juho Hänninen…14pts
2. Guy Wilks…11pts
3. Mikko Hirvonen…10pts
4. Kris Meeke…10pts
5. Jan Kopecký…9pts
6. Nicolas Vouilloz…6pts
IRC points (Manufacturers’) after Round 2
1. Škoda…28pts
2. Peugeot…21pts
3. M-Sport…10pts
GUY set an incredible pace on the opening day of the Rally International de Curitiba to hold second place overnight.
Having only seen the stages at the regulation 60kph recce speed, Guy’s first attempt at SS3 at rally speed saw him record a 134kph average.
Such was the Škoda UK Motorsport increased pace that he was 28.3 seconds faster on his third run over the 11.8 mile (19 km) Campo Magro stage, than he had been the first time in his Fabia S2000.
Co-driven by Phil Pugh, his reward was to complete Leg 1 in second position, just 32.7 seconds behind last year’s event winner Kris Meeke.
Overnight rain had made the gravel stages west of Curitiba were extremely slippery, yet Guy drove faultlessly reach the final service at the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba having set four second and three third fastest stage times.
The only minor problem came on SS3, when the spare intercom cable came loose after a heavy landing, and Guy had to almost stop to put it back and prevent it distracting him furthe
The forecast of an 80% chance of rain for the afternoon loop was inaccurate, and Guy lost a little time on the softer tyre option, especially on the seventh and final test when tyre wear saw the Fabia S2000 move around a little too much.
It had nevertheless been a fantastic day, as Guy maintained second place throughout.
Three Škoda Fabia S2000 drivers filled the top four places, with Jan Kopecký a further 27.4 seconds behind Guy and Juho Hänninen recovering to fourth after losing time with a puncture on SS1.
Guy said: “I’m quite pleased with the way the day has done, especially as it’s my first time rallying in Brazil. The opening stage was very greasy and Kris Meeke got a little bit of a jump on us, but we haven’t had a moment and still been very much on the pace.
“It’s the fastest rally I’ve done since Rally Finland in 2007, and that took a little getting used to again as we did the recce at 60kph and on some stages were are averaging over 130kph.
“We had to stop on SS3 when the spare intercom cable came loose and it bounced right in my face like Zebedee [from the Magic Roundabout].
"Phil tried to tie it back up whilst reading the notes, but let go when he had to turn the page! We virtually came to a stop on a slow corner so we could hook it back up, so I reckon that cost us almost five seconds.
“We were expecting rain in the afternoon, but we actually had dust in the car. We’d taken the softer tyre option and the car was moving too much, but it wasn’t a major problem.
“I’m happy that we’ve been able to increase our speed throughout the day, maintain a strong second position without a single moment and finish our first day’s rallying in Brazil in a challenging position. It’s all to play for.”
Saturday's final contains five gravel stages (two of which are repeated) to the north east of Curitiba, beginning with the 17.4 mile (28 kms) Baocaiuva test, which is the longest stage of the rally.
The stages are generally a little narrower with varying surface, but still fast and similar in character to Rally Finland.
The climax to the event is the spectacular 2 mile (3.38 km) Super Prime Pinhais stage, which takes place on a purpose-built arena near Curitiba.
End of Leg 1 (top six after SS7)
1. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000)… 49:17.2
2. Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+32.7
3. Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+1:00.1
4. Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+1:42.7
5. Daniel Rolim Oliveira/Denis Giraudet (Peugeot 207 S2000)…+3:37.3
6. Eduardo Peredo/Claudio Bustos (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)…+7:19.5
ON his first rally in Brazil, Guy Wilks is the leading Škoda Fabia S2000 driver after the opening four stages of the Rally International de Curitiba.
Having set second fastest time on SS1 and 4 and third fastest time on SS 2 and 3, the Škoda UK Motorsport driver is second overall – just 23.1 seconds behind last year’s rally winner Kris Meeke.
All these stages, located near the city of Curitiba, are new to Guy, and after making a good start he was 18.6 seconds quicker over the second running of the Campo Magro stage – highlighting how important experience of these stages are.
Two Škoda Fabia S2000 drivers are currently in the top three, with Jan Kopecký a further 19.2 seconds behind Guy.
His Škoda Motorsport team-mate Juho Hänninen is fifth, after losing time on the opening stage with a puncture.
Conditions have been very difficult on the gravel stages, with heavy overnight rain making the road surface extremely slippery.
Guy and co-driver Phil Pugh has put in a faultless performance, as they return to the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba for the mid-day service.
“We’re very happy with the start we’ve made on our first rally in Brazil,” said Guy. “The Fabia S2000 is running well and we made a good tyre choice.
"Some drivers put full cuts in their tyres and some drivers put no extra cuts at all, but we opted for a middle ground of half cuts and it seemed to work very well on the slippery surface."
Leg 1 continues this afternoon, with three more stages.
Top six after SS4
1. Kris Meeke/Paul Nagle (Peugeot 207 S2000)…29:56.1
2. Guy Wilks/Phil Pugh (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+23.1
3. Jan Kopecký/Petr Starý (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+42.3
4. Bruno Magalhăes/Carlos Magalhăes (Peugeot 207 S2000)…+1:20.9
5. Juho Hänninen/Mikko Markkula (Škoda Fabia S2000)…+1:36.8
6. Daniel Rolim Oliveira/Denis Giraudet (Peugeot 207 S2000)…+3:37.3
More news later...
Guy's start position for the opening leg of Brazil's Rally Internacional de Curitiba will be determined by the prologue stage later today (Thursday). The top five fastest drivers through the 3.4km Super Prime Pinhais test will choose where they start Friday's seven stages, from first on the road down to tenth.
The next five fastest drivers will be handed the remaining starting places by the organisers.
The prologue stage starts at 15:30 local time (18.30 UK time).
Based 255 miles (410 kms) south-west of Sao Paulo, Rally International de Curitiba is the first of two back-to-back gravel rallies in South America.
Guy's preparation for the double header included a two-day test in the Skoda Fabia S2000 in Sardinia last month.
The Skoda UK Motorsport driver said: “We had a very good test in Sardinia. We found a 4km section of gravel road that was flat and very fast – just what we expect to find in Brazil.
"We were also lucky it stayed dry, and although it was a lot colder in Sardinia than it will be in Brazil, it was certainly the best conditions we could have hoped for in Europe at this time of year.
“Brazil will be a difficult rally, but I like the challenge of new events and I’m looking forward to it.
"I’ve trained hard and I’m in good physical shape, and I feel ready for the heat and humidity.
"If all goes to plan, we’ll just need to make a few minor adjustments to the set-up of the Škoda Fabia S2000 during the pre-event shakedown, and then we’ll be ready for what promises to be two days of very tough competition.
“The trip to South America isn’t just about the rally in Brazil, as 12 days after we’ll be starting Rally Argentina. The focus will be very much on returning to the UK with a good haul of points after two strong performances.”
The Rally International de Curitiba begins with a ceremonial start in the city centre on Thursday 4 March.
The action begins the following day, with Leg 1 competition taking place over three separate fast and flowing gravel stages located to the west of Curitiba. The longest of these, the 11.8 mile (19 km) opening Campo Magro stage, is repeated three times, and the day contains a total of seven stages equalling 64 miles (103 kms).
Leg 2 takes place on Saturday 6 March and is the longer of the two legs, as it contains 73.5 miles (118.3 kms) of competition. Five gravel stages (two of which are repeated) are planned in the countryside north east of Curitiba, beginning with the 17.4 mile (28 kms) Baocaiuva test, which is the longest stage of the rally.
The climax to the event is the spectacular 2 mile (3.38 km) Super Prime Pinhais stage, which takes place on a purpose-built arena adjacent to the Autódromo Internacional de Curitiba; the venue for the opening round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, which takes place the following day.
The rally winner is expected to complete the 15th and final super-special stage at 16.00 local time (19.00 UK time) after two days and 137.5 miles (221.3kms) of competition.
Fans will also be able to follow Guy’s progress on Facebook.
YOU can watch all the action from Brazil on Eurosport.
The confirmed TV times for highlights from Rally Internacional de Curitiba, round two of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, are as follows:
Friday 5 March
24:00-24:30: Day one highlights (Eurosport and Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
Saturday 6 March
05:00-05:30: Day one highlights repeated (Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
24:00-24:30: Day two highlights (Eurosport and Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
Sunday 7 March
23:00-23:30: Magazine (Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
24:00-24:30: Magazine (Eurosport)
Monday 8 March
03:30-04:00: Magazine repeated (Eurosport Asia-Pacific)
Tuesday 9 March
13:00-13:30: Magazine repeated (Eurosport2)
Wednesday 10 March
18:30-19:00: Magazine repeated (Eurosport2)
All times are CET