Wilks predicts close battle for Brazilian glory

Škoda UK Motorsport driver Guy Wilks says the high-speed nature of Friday’s stages will make for a thrilling battle for victory on Rally Internacional de Curitiba.

The Intercontinental Rally Challenge counter is famed for its blind crests and hard road surface, which Wilks believes will make for close competition.

“It’s going to be very tight between the leading runners,” said Wilks following the completion of the pre-event reconnaissance on Wednesday evening. “It’s always the same with fast stages and day one is all about fast stages. You’re going to have to be very brave to make time.”

Wilks, who will be co-driven by fellow Brit Phil Pugh, has never competed in Brazil before but said that he is fully prepared following the recce: “The only problem is we did the stages at 60kph and we’ll be going a lot faster in the Fabia but that’s one of the things we have to deal with as drivers.”