Matthew Wilson is planning his first competitive rally since taking part in the 2014 Wales Rally GB and he is setting his sights on the MSA British Rally Championship, contesting the Pirelli Rally in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 Evo at the end of the month.

“The success of the re-vamped British Rally Championship and the quality of the entry on the opening two rounds really made me want to get back behind the wheel. The Pirelli Rally is a great event and it’s right on our doorstep so it was the perfect way for us to show our support for the BRC.” said Wilson.

Wilson was a regular on the FIA World Rally Championship scene from 2004 through to 2011 when switched his focus on a managerial role at M-Sport, since then he has had a handful of outings and more recently helped out with the development of the new Ford Focus RS RX that Ken Block and Andreas Bakkerud are racing in the FIA World Rallycross Championship this year.

Joining Wilson for the Pirelli Rally will be Stuart Loudon, and while the pair haven’t previously driven together competitively, they have worked together when they formed Henning Solberg’s gravel crew at Rallye Monte-Carlo last year.

“Stuart Loudon will be joining me in the co-drivers’ seat and I’m looking forward to working with him. We haven’t competed together before, but we did work together as part of Henning Solberg’s gravel crew at last year’s Rallye Monte-Carlo. I know how well he works and I’m sure he’ll do a great job on the notes.” added Wilson.

With high demand for the M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 Evo, Wilson will be piloting the car being used by Elfyn Evans this weekend in Argentina, this gives the team only one day to turn the car around and get it ready for the Pirelli Rally when it returns.

“It’s going to be a challenge. The stages may well be on our doorstep but – believe it or not – I haven’t driven in Kielder since 2004! I know that our experience level is somewhat limited, especially when you compare it to those who have already got up to speed and people like Elfyn [Evans] and Craig [Parry] who are rallying week-in, week-out at the moment, but we’ll certainly give it our all.

“As I say, it’s not going to be easy, but I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and just having some fun amongst what will be some very strong competition. Knowing the Fiesta R5 Evo as well as I do, I’d hope that we can hold our own.”