Wilks relishing Sanremo´s night stage

Guy Wilks says he can’t wait to tackle Rallye Sanremo’s 44-kilometre Ronde stage and not just because it’s one of the longest featured in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season.

With the first car not due to tackle the monster test until 22:09hrs local time on Friday 24 September, the stage will run entirely under the cover of darkness, a prospect that thrills the Škoda UK Motorsport driver.

“I love driving at night and never a problem with it,” said the 29-year-old Briton. “It adds a different dimension and, for me, we don’t do enough of it. Obviously there are issues with safety and the general logistical problems of doing rallying in the dark but it’s fantastic and something I really enjoy.”

Wilks, who recently returned to IRC action after recovering from a broken back, said the reduced vision brought about by driving at night was not a concern.

“Different people have different methods for approaching driving at night,” said Wilks. “I don’t try and ignore things around you in the daytime but at night your peripheral vision is limited because you can’t see what’s to your left or right. Your focus is made into tunnel by the lights and that’s what you see. It’s fantastic and intensifies the atmosphere both inside and outside the car.”