Guy Wilks eyes IRC drive

The 29-year-old Briton contested the IRC-counting Rally Russia in a Honda Civic Type-R last July but was unable to continue in the JAS Motorsport-run car this season after Honda withdrew from international competition at the end of 2008. Nonetheless he was impressive on his debut, leading his class comfortably.

Wilks has since linked-up with the Mellors Elliott Motorsport team, the British company responsible for Proton's Satria Neo Super 2000 challenger, having completed a test in Wales last month. Proton became the seventh manufacturer to register for the IRC in March.

"I would like to do the IRC," said Wilks. "There are lots of opportunities in the IRC because it is attracting manufacturers who all seem to be very enthusiastic. I've tested the Proton for one day and I was very impressed with it.

"There are some areas where it can be improved but I am sure that will come. I'm convinced it can get some very good results."

Wilks was a former rival of fellow Briton Kris Meeke in the Junior World Rally Championship. Meeke has established himself as one of the IRC's leading drivers after winning the second round of the series in Brazil last month.

Meanwhile Wilks was left high and dry after Subaru withdrew its World Rally Championship team at the end of last year. The Englishman said that he was just hours away from signing a deal that would have put him in a third factory car alongside Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson.

Adding to Wilks' misfortune was the withdrawal of Mitsubishi's British Rally Championship team for 2009 - once more leaving him as a privateer in the series he has recently dominated.

"Of course all that was disappointing but you have to move on," said Wilks. "You can't spend your life wondering 'what if'. I think the IRC has a great future and I'd like to be there.

"I'd also like to be the first person to win the British Rally Championship three times on the trot - however I do it."