Two-time British Rally Champion Guy Wilks has confirmed that he will race in the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship as a full season Independent entry. Wilks will drive the Volkswagen Polo that Johan Kristoffersson used to win the 2016 World RX of France.
Already known for his Rallying career, Wilks has also been a regular part of the World RX commentary team and has taken part in five World RX events so far. The highlight of his exploits was getting the JRM World RX Mini into the 2015 World RX of Great Britain Supercar Final where he suffered a puncture that robbed him of a podium finish.
Guy Wilks took the JRM Mini to the Supercar Final of the 2015 World RX of Great Britain. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
The car itself will be back by LOCO Energy and Wilks is well aware that he has a tough task ahead of him.
“To get an opportunity to do a full World Championship is something I’ve always wished for,” explained Wilks. “To compete in a car that finished second in the Championship last year adds pressure but is the ingredient that can make it realistic for me mix it at the top, even though the bar in World RX is getting raised year on year.”
Wilks will use the VW Polo that Johan Kristoffersson took to victory at the 2016 World RX of France. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Despite the tough task ahead of getting ready for the opening round in Spain, Wilks took the time to thank those who have supported him in this effort.
“I want to thank LOCO energy drink and Marc Blackburn for this opportunity – he saw me drive at Lydden and Loheac in 2015 and believed in me from the start. I’m going to give it absolutely everything to prove his beliefs and also my own and we want to put ourselves up against the best,” explained Wilks.
“There’s still a lot of work to do but 2017 is going to be an awesome journey!”
The first round of the 2017 FIA World Rallycross Championship takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on April 1-2.
