Wilks relishing Skoda chance

Speaking on stage at AUTOSPORT International in Birmingham, the Darlington driver said that the Skoda UK Motorsport squad could need time to find its feet, but remained optimistic that he could get a good result.

"In terms of being up against it, you're always up against it with a new manufacturer, a new car, and a new programme. But hopefully we can get something sorted and get a good result," Wilks said.

"Monte Carlo is very punishing, and you have to look after the car. There is no margin. The surface of the road is changing all the time; you have snow, ice, dry tarmac, wet tarmac, and it's a big compromise in terms of the tyre that you're putting on the car. It's the hardest rally in the world, without doubt."

Wilks will contest the majority of the 2010 IRC, but said that it was vital that he and the team did not get ahead of themselves.

"No matter how many rallies you are competing on, you always take them one at a time and that's what's important about this, that we don't get locked into thinking further down the line," he said.

"We're flying off from here this afternoon, testing tomorrow in Italy just north of San Remo, and then recce on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and then the rally starts on Tuesday evening. So it's quite a daunting programme, but at the same time it's nice. We're always going to be busy the whole time, so I'm looking forward to it."