IRC ace Wilks predicts incredible Ypres Rally

Injured Skoda UK Motorsport driver Guy Wilks reckons next week’s Geko Ypres Rally will be among the best rallies of the season with 25 Super 2000 cars set to do battle for Intercontinental Rally Challenge glory on the demanding Tarmac stages.

Wilks, 29, has been forced to skip the Belgian round after sustaining two fractured vertebrae when he crashed at high speed on the IRC-counting Rally d’Italia-Sardegna earlier this month. However, he says he will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in the historic market town and the stages in the surrounding countryside.

"For the neutral, it’s going to be a classic event," said Wilks. "It’s great for the IRC to be back in mainland Europe and look at the entry list! There are so many cars on the event, it’s incredible. It’s going to be an incredibly competitive event. It’s got everything going for it: great entry list, great stages, fantastic geographical location and a hell of a lot of interest. It’s just a pity I’m looking on from the outside."

While the IRC regulars will be in action in Ypres from 24-26 June, Wilks will be continuing his recovery at an oxygen chamber in Middlesbrough, a short journey from his home in County Durham, UK. A decision on when he will return to IRC action will be made in the coming weeks.