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Wilson relieved Rally GB is saved

Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson has admitted the news that Rally Great Britain will run in October has probably saved Britain's round of the World Rally Championship

Speaking after the announcement that the MSA, British motorsport's governing body, will bankroll the rally for this season after the Welsh Assembly Government terminated its sponsorship contract with the event, Wilson said the news couldn't be better for this season.

"It's great news, it's the news we've all been waiting for," he said. "I don't think a lot of people realise how important this decision is for the future of Rally GB.

"If the event hadn't happened this year, then it wouldn't have had any future in the world championship, and, as far as I'm concerned, that was something which should never be allowed to happen.

"I'm delighted there's a solution for this year and now let's look to the future."

Those sentiments were echoed by the World Rally Championship's global promoter Simon Long, who added: "I'm delighted the British round of the championship has been preserved for 2009.

"Obviously, we're keen to ensure that there is a strong plan in place for the future in the UK, but right now this is very good news for rally fans and for all of those involved."

Beyond this season, the future of Rally GB remains unclear. Running this season has undoubtedly saved its space on the 2010 calendar, but the legal battle between the event and the Welsh Assembly will decide whether the event remains in the principality.

Stobart Ford driver Matthew Wilson admitted he thought the time had come for a move. He said: "No disrespect to Wales, they've done a very good job for a lot of years, but it would be nice to see it move. It would be nice to get it out of that bottom corner - it's Rally GB, it's not the Rally of Wales.

"If you speak to a lot of people up north, they talk about it being cheaper to go to and buy a flight to go Catalunya Rally than it is to go down to Wales and buy the tickets for that event.

"We've exhausted the stages down there in Wales as well. Okay, we're going to some stages in mid-Wales, which are great this year, but in the south, we've run the roads in every direction, with the stages in all possible formats and there are so many other good areas to offer.

"We've all talked about it, but Kielder and Scotland have a great deal to offer. Like I said, nobody's doubting that Wales has done a good job, but maybe the time is coming for a refresh and a move.

"Having said all of that, the news that this event is running is a massive relief. It means everybody can relax a little bit, there have been a lot of people very worried about whether or not it would run.

"The news that we're going to Rally GB in October is very welcome."

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