He leads Mitsubishi to first-ever 1-2

GUY WILKS led Mitsubishi to their first-ever one, two finish in the British Rally Championship with a commanding victory on the Rally Isle of Man.

Wilks was fastest on 17 of the 21 competitive stages to beat team-mate Gwyndaf Evans by 46.6 seconds.

Title rival Mark Higgins slid into a ditch on stage 10 (Little London 2) and eventually finished 18th.

Darlington ace Wilks - who drives for The Sun Mobil 1 Rally Team in the World Rally Championship - said: "We partied so hard I missed the flight home next morning!

"I was determined to beat Higgy on his home turf and we were quickest on every stage before he went off.

"It's great to get the championship back on track and a 1-2 finish is fantastic for the team."

Wilks and Welsh co-driver Phil Pugh won the season-opening Pirelli International Rally in the Mobil 1-backed Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.

They also led the Jim Clark Rally before being caught out by the wet conditions on slick tyres.

Their Manx triumph means they leapfrog Higgins in the BRC standings and sit just two points off championship leader Wyn Humphreys who has finished 4th, 7th and 3rd on the first three rallies of the year.