Wilson predicts exciting season ahead

Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team Principal Malcolm Wilson says that new technical regulations in the World Rally Championship will make 2011 one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, and that even better is to come in 2012.

“We’ve got new cars with smaller engines, but going faster than the previous cars,” he said. “It’s very close and competitive. It looks to me like this is going to be one of the most exciting championships for many years.

“Next year we have the possibility of Volkswagen coming in, with rallies in new territories. That’s very positive news for the championship, although it’s very important to balance the costs. With longer events, more kilometres equals more expense. You only have to look at how many young drivers we have in the championship at the moment to see how important it is to be affordable. Next year is going to be an even more exciting year for rallying.”

This week the FIA announced several new rallies for the 2012 season, including events in Argentina and Abu Dhabi.

“Anyone who’s been to see the Grand Prix circuit in Abu Dhabi will tell you that it’s an extraordinary facility. Obviously there’s some work to do on the roads over there, but the situation is no different to how it was in Jordan a few years ago before they were ready for their own event, and we’ve all seen how that has turned out.

“They will lay on a very slick and exciting event, I’m sure.”