Mixed emotions for Wilson

Matthew Wilson will start Wales Rally GB this afternoon with mixed emotions.

While the Briton is relishing the prospect of tackling his home round of the world championship, the event will mark the first time that he has returned to the scene of the accident that left he and co-driver Scott Martin with serious injuries when they crashed on a national rally in 2005.

The M-Sport Stobart driver crashed on the Gartheiniog stage on the Rally of Wales when the back end of the car kicked up over a bump and was pitched off the road. Data showed the Ford Focus RS WRC he was driving went from 167kph to stationary in 1.2 seconds. Wilson, who was a teenager at the time, suffered breaks to his legs and arm, Martin a broken leg.

The point where Wilson crashed is now included on a liaison section when the stage is used twice on Friday.

“I didn’t remember anything from the main part of the stage, but as soon as we turned through the hairpin right and headed down the hill, I knew that was the place,” said Wilson. “It’s so, so fast going down there. I remember Mark [Higgins] had stopped at the side of the road and I remember thinking as we went past: ’Wow, we’re in the lead of the rally.’ Then there was a bump, which threw the back of the car into the air and we were off into the trees. I think it’s helped me a little bit going back there.”

Of this year’s event, Wilson said: “It’s good to be in front of your home fans, a good way to end year. I don’t compete at home very often so it’s good to go back and finish with a couple of points.”