Wilson confirms first half of WRC programme

24th February 2011

By Anthony Peacock

Ford driver Matthew Wilson has had his programme confirmed until at least the Rally Argentina at the end of May, meaning that the 24-year-old has five more rallies to consolidate his programme for the rest of the year.

“Everything’s in place up until Greece, which is brilliant really,” said the British driver. “Hopefully by being out on the rallies it will make the job of getting things in place for the rest of the year that bit easier.”

Wilson has been competing on the WRC since 2006 when he embarked on a 16-event programme as a teenager. He has scored points in every season since with a best result of fourth overall on Rally Japan in 2007.

His father Malcolm Wilson, who heads up Ford’s WRC operation, commented: “Matthew should be able to concentrate more on his driving now that his programme for the year has become more secure. He had an unfortunate opening round in Sweden with power-steering issues, which knocked his confidence. But Mexico should be a promising event as gravel is his preferred surface and he has tested the car extensively on the surface.”

Wilson finished ninth in Sweden, after dropping four minutes on the opening day.