Published at 08:34, Monday, 29 June 2009

In this regular blog with Airwaves Pro Matthew Wilson, we caught up with him ahead of Rally Poland, back on the calendar for the first time since 1973. Rally Poland is the eighth round of the World Rally Championship and following his superb final two days in Greece, we hear his thoughts on the new rally and how he plans to tackle the remainder of the season.

Wrigley's Airwaves . . . sponsor of Matthew Wilson

Photos: Matthew Wilson: A season in pictures

Last entry: I just have to make sure I stay mentally alert and sharp

“It was such a shame on the first day in Greece that we had a problem with the oil cooler, there was literally nothing we could do. Luckily we stopped soon enough that we didn’t damage the engine and we were able to continue.

"I was so frustrated at the end of the first day, thinking that we had nothing left to compete for in the rally and valuable points has slipped out of my grasp.

“Often in these situations you have two options to choose from; either you retire or you set about getting the car ready for the next day to really kick up a gear and show everybody what you would have been capable of.

"Scott Martin, my co-driver, and I decided on the way out to the stages on the second day that we were going to give it our all and really go for it. Saturday and Sunday we had two cracking days finishing in the top six on every stage and even winning stage 15.

"This was a great step forward and showed the rest of the field what I am capable of. My attitude was so positive and confident and the notes were spot on. It was so pleasing to get such consistent times and really capitalise where other drivers were falling on Greece’s tough road conditions.

“It was a bit strange for some of the drivers and from a Ford point of view we had to capitalise when Loeb crashed out spectacularly. Later Dani Sordo and Henning hit the same rock; it goes to show you never know in rallying what is going to happen, so it is always worth pushing on.

“It was also great for the team that I still managed to pick up some manufacturers points and the quote from the team boss about my driving was great, as was the reaction from Stobart’s Andrew Tinkler. I would love to get more of that and I will be pushing in Poland with the thought of that in my memory.

“I really hope to be able to carry my speed with me into Poland, the aim is to pick up where I left off and with such a short break in between I should be able to kick on and continue my quest for my first podium.

“Poland will be exciting as none of the current field of drivers has raced there before. That will certainly play into my hands, as experience will not come into it so much. I have heard various reports about the terrain and it will be crucial to take our time on the recces and really make sure the notes are spot on. This is exciting and it’s such a level playing field until we see the stages.

“I am really looking forward to Poland, I am excited and confident. The goal is to continue with the consistency that we have shown all season and back up Greece and Sardinia with another good result in Poland.

"I’d like some more driver’s points this time out. If Mikko [Hirvonen] does as well, as he usually does on new rallies, then Ford should come away from this rally with a good result. We have to capitalise on the potential loss of confidence from Sebastien Loeb following on from his crash and maintain good pace and race rhythm.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk