Wilks aims to double the partyposted in RSCOT07 | 10 | 2010
CHAMPION-ELECTJuha Hanninen leads the world class entry-list for next week's RallyScotland, the penultimate round of the Intercontinental Rally Championship in Perth and Stirling.
The entries, confirmed today, lists 23 international drivers amongst the world class field of over 50 cars and teams who will tackle the three-day event which gets underway at Scone Palace near Perth on Friday, October 15.
Hanninen, the ultra-reliable Finn who has finished on the podium in every rally bar Ypres in Belgium this season, will clinch the championship for Skoda simply by crossing the start-line at Scone.
But the 28-year-old, a winner already this year in Argentina and Sardinia, faces stiff competition from a trio of Brits, Kris Meeke, Guy Wilks and Alister McRae.
Irishman Meeke, last year's IRC champ and who will switch to the World Rally Championship next year with Mini, will be hoping to repeat his performance of 12 months ago.
"Last year's RallyScotland was fantastic and it was hugely disappointing to win for Peugeot only to have the victory taken away for a minor technical infringement," Meeke said today. "Hopefully we can win, and keep the victory this year."
Wilks (pictured) meanwhile, who inherited the win after Meeke's disqualificatiion, is confident he can put one over his Skoda team-mate Hanninen.
"It's going to be a great battle, and while it will be fantastic to see Juha crowned champion, I'll be doing everything I can to win back-to-back RallyScotlands," the Darlington driver said, "and double the Skoda celebrations."
Lanark ace McRae meanwhile, who will be returning to Scotland during a break from contesting the Asia-Pacific Championship, is eager to impress the home support in his Proton Satria S2000.
"Rallying on home soil in front of Scottish rally fans is the best feeling in the world," the former British champ said, "and I'll be doing everything I can to improve on my third place from last year."
Other Scots who will contest the biggest motorsport event in Scotland include newly-crowned Hankook Scottish Rally champ, 22-year-old David Bogie from Dumfries, and Aberdeen 19-year-old Dave Weston jnr. Duns ace Euan Thorburn will also tackle the forest stages.
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Jim McGill