Wilks impresses Wittmann from afar

Franz Wittmann has revealed how he relied on the official Intercontinental Rally Challenge website to keep up to date with the series during the recent South America double-header.

Wittmann is contesting several IRC events this season in an Interwetten Racing-run Peugeot 207 Super 2000. However, the Austrian driver did not enter either rally in Brazil or Argentina in order to concentrate on the European rounds.

He said: “I followed every stage and every split [time] and it’s ballistic how good the competition is getting in the IRC with so many good drivers taking part.

“There were no big surprises for me in Brazil or Argentina because I expected Kris Meeke and Juho Hänninen to do very well. But Guy Wilks really did a tremendous job in his Škoda and I really think he can be a main contender for the title.”

Wittmann added: “It was really hard having to stay home when my colleagues were doing those rallies so I’m looking forward more than ever to come back.”