Matthew Wilson

Fast Facts:

Why support him?

On Rally Argentina 2006 he became the youngest stage winner in WRC history

Like father like son, rallying is in Matt Wilson’s genes

He’s reliable and getting quicker – ten top ten finishes in 2008

Career highlights:

Career summary:

Matthew Wilson is the next British rally hope, looking to follow in the footsteps of former world champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns and his father, former British champion Malcolm Wilson. The links between father and son are strong – Wilson has always driven Ford Focus WRCs built and run in conjunction with Wilson senior’s M-Sport team, which runs Ford’s works team. But Matthew Wilson has quickly built up a strong skill base and reputation on his own merit and fully deserves the opportunity to demonstrate his promise at international level.

Since his rallying debut in 2004, he has quickly emerged as a solid points contender, finishing third in the 2004 British championship with a 100 per cent reliability record. He won lesser national events and finished 13th on his World Rally Championship debut on home soil in the Wales Rally GB – success that meant he was picked for a rally talent scheme backed by British motorsport’s governing body.

In 2005, Matthew won the Malcolm Wilson Rally (appropriately) before a heavy accident curtailed his title bid. Despite a brief lay-off, he came back as strong as ever to win the Trackrod Rally, beating his father’s record of winning a national event at the age of just 18 years old.

In 2006, the young Brit joined the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford for debut season in the WRC which proved to be a learning experience. Wilson became the youngest driver yet to score points in a WRC event (eighth overall in Argentina) and also became the youngest driver in the history of the WRC to win a stage (the Cordoba Stadium Super Special stage, also in Argentina).

Malcolm Wilson’s five year plan for his son was now progressing well. In 2007 Matt’s focus was on claiming the odd point or two throughout the season. He did a good job collected 11 points and finished the year in excellent fashion, taking a career best fourth in Japan, followed by a seventh in Ireland and sixth on his home round in Great Britain.

In 2008 he maintained his excellent consistency but wound up the pace. He achieved ten top-ten results – the best of which was fifth on Rally Jordan – and was placed tenth in the drivers’ championship on a total of 15 points.

With another year under his belt, Wilson is aiming to keep the upward trend going in 2009.