Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 30 October 2008

WEST Cumbrian Matthew Wilson continues his bid for a top-10 place in the World Rally Championship at Rally Japan where last year he achieved his best-ever result when he came fourth.

CHALLENGING: Matthew Wilson on his way to fourth in last year’s Rally Japan

The 21-year-old Stobart VK M-Sport Ford driver said: “Things are going to be quite interesting this year in Japan where it’s new stages and potentially a new surface for everybody.

“From some pictures I have seen of the roads it looks like they are going to be quite narrow so it could be a challenging event.

“I’m looking forward to it though. Last year we had a clean run and a great result and hopefully we can do the same again this year.

“Again though it will be a challenge and we are going to have to write fresh pacenotes for all the stages and I think this will be a part of everyone’s approach to the rally that is going to be crucial.”

François Duval/Patrick Pivato are back with Stobart after doing the last two rallies with their BP Ford stable-mates.

The Belgian has had mixed fortunes on his two attempts at Rally Japan, last contesting the event in 2005 where he finished fourth overall.

Duval said: “It is not going to be easy for me to go fast from the start in Japan because the last time I was here was three years ago, but this year the rally is in a new location, which means new roads, and pace notes, for everybody.

“It took some time for me to find a good set-up with the Focus in New Zealand but now I have the gravel kilometres on board from that event we can hopefully transfer the knowledge into speed in Japan.”

Stobart team principal Malcolm Wilson said: “The Stobart team come into this event with both crews fresh from good manufacturer and driver points finishes in Corsica.

“This puts the team in a confident position coming into a rally which is new for everybody.

“On the final day of the last gravel event in New Zealand Matthew put in one of his best drives to date and hopefully he can carry this form forward into Japan.

“François has done a fantastic job for the BP Ford Abu Dhabi team over the last two events and he will rejoin the Stobart team off the back of a fine podium finish in Corsica.”