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Škoda rally test set to complete Wilks’ 80 day recovery

Wilks is scheduled to test in the Czech Republic on August 23

By Franck Drui

11 August 2010 - 15:40

Guy Wilks is scheduled to test his Škoda UK Motorsport Fabia S2000 Facelift for the first time in the Czech Republic on August 23 – exactly 80 days since he incurred a back injury following an accident on the Rally d’Italia-Sardegna (June 5).

The car, which is 22mm wider than its predecessor and introduced into the Intercontinental Rally Challenge by Škoda Motorsport after Guy’s accident, has won two out of the last three rounds of the series. The latest victory came on last weekend’s Rali Vinho Madeira, where Freddy Loix, Jan Kopeckýand Juho Hänninen scored Škoda’s third 1-2-3 finish of the season to extend Škoda’s lead to 37 points in the manufacturers’ standings.

Whilst not significantly different from the car Guy drove at the beginning of the season, the 29-year old Darlington driver is keen to sample the Fabia S2000 Facelift’s suspension and steering upgrades for himself. He has had to wait 12 weeks, however, as it was important that Guy was 100% fit before he returned to the cockpit, and his recovery programme has been focused on precisely that.

Having been diagnosed with two broken vertebrae at the San Martino Hospital in Oristano, Guy flew back to the UK on June 7 and immediately began a strict rehabilitation regime – which included visits to an oxygen chamber to stimulate bone growth and swimming to remain flexible. He gradually increased his training programme to the point where it is now almost back to normal.

Guy and co-driver by Phil Pugh (Tywyn, Gwynedd) are now ready to make their return to competition on the Barum Czech Rally Zlín (27-29 August) – Škoda’s home round of the IRC.

Despite sitting out the last three rounds of the series, a great start to the season (6th in Monte Carlo, 2nd in Brazil and Argentina and 3rd in Gran Canarias) sees Guy arrive in the Czech Republic 4th in the drivers’ standings – and top British driver.

Guy Wilks: “I’m massively looking forward to getting back into the Škoda Fabia S2000. It’s been very frustrating since Sardinia, being on the outside of the Intercontinental Rally Challenge looking in. I’ve missed three rallies – Ypres, Azores and Madeira – but it was important that I’m one hundred percent fit before getting back into the car. Before the accident we were getting near to the point where we were able to challenge for the top step of the podium, and my motivation to get back into a rally car and win rallies has never been higher than it is right now.

“As far as my injury is concerned, my two fractured vertebrae are healing very well. My doctor gave me the all-clear to begin training after my last x-ray results, so I’m back running, cycling and weight training.

“I had been training hard this season and was physically fit before my injury, and I’ve been pretty active since as well. Soon after arriving back from Sardinia I started low impact training – walking and swimming at first; I’m still no fan of swimming, but it was slightly less boring than sitting on the sofa and an awful lot better for me!

“I’m sure we’ll have a good test and be well prepared for the Barum Rally. I’ve got no problems with getting back into a rally car and driving flat-out, so if we’re able to begin from near where we left off, I’m sure we’ll have a good run and be able to score IRC points in the Czech Republic.”