14 Sep 12

Wilson
glad to
be back

Matthew Wilson has completed his first stage on his return to the FIA World Rally Championship but admitted his time away from the action held him back ever so slightly through the opening Dyfnant test.

Briton Wilson is making his first start in the world championship since January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo after attracting funding from his native Cumbria in north-west England.

“I really enjoyed it, it was fantastic,” said the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team driver after setting the ninth fastest time. “In the fast stuff it’s no problem but it’s difficult braking for the slow corners and knowing how much grip you’ve got in the slippery conditions. The car feels great but it’s the first time we’ve driven with mud on the road because qualifying was bone dry.”

South African World Rally Car rookie Jan Habig, who like Wilson is competing on Wales Rally GB in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta RS WRC, said: “I was quite unsettled in the first half and all over the place. I settled down a bit later in the stage but it’s difficult.”