Monte Carlo Rally 2006: Stobart M-Sport Ford - Finish
Cumbria`s Matthew Wilson brought his Ford Focus RS WRC 04 to the finish of the Monte Carlo Rally on his first attempt this afternoon. The 18-year-old claimed a highly-credible 15th overall, despite never having tackled anything like the conditions he faced in the French Alps over the last three days.
Matthew spent the third and final day running at the head of the field, meaning he was the first driver to come across the numerous patches of black ice or snow around the multitude of blind corners. Despite this added complication, which came about courtesy of him lying 15th overall last night, he emerged unscathed from what rally winner – and Ford team-mate to Matthew – Marcus Gronholm described as one of the most difficult Monte Carlos he has ever competed on.

Matthew`s only problem came at the end of the second stage of the day, when he damaged the car`s exhaust after spinning the Ford into a wall. That aside, Matthew was understandably delighted with his result.

Matthew`s team-mate Pieter Tsjoen was equally upbeat at the finish. He scored his best-ever result on this event and now feels ready to challenge for his fourth Belgian national title. Pieter didn`t put a wheel wrong through the final day. He passed Matthew on the opening loop of stages this morning and stayed ahead of him until the finish.

Matthew Wilson
“This is just what I`d been hoping for: a finish on the Monte Carlo Rally. It`s a fantastic feeling to know that I completed every stage on the event. Okay, we had a problem at the end of leg one, but we overcame that and got here to the finish. Fantastic. The problem with the spin earlier today ended up being a bit painful. We`d bent the exhaust and had to try and fix it some how, so it didn`t cost us too much power. I stuck the jack into the exhaust which did help to straighten it, but then I held the hot end of the jack and burned my hand.

“This afternoon, I think our choice of a studded tyre was a bit conservative, but then again that was the one everybody was using. The last part of the last stage, the downhill section from Turini, was a nightmare – the tyres had gone all mushy. Then again, look at the time Sebastien (Loeb) did on that stage on those tyres…

“It`s been such a long week for me. I was so nervous about this whole thing before the start. Once we got into it, it was okay. Once we got onto the ice and started to get through the stages, my confidence was coming. Now I feel much better. I`m actually quite glad the conditions were like they were. Obviously it would have been easier to come here and do a dry Monte, but we wouldn`t have learned nearly as much. Now I just can`t wait for Sweden!”

Pieter Tsjoen
“Now I`m up to speed with this car, I can start to appreciate just how good it is. I`m really looking forward to the start of the Belgian Championship now, I think we`ll be really competitive. I was really careful today, like I have been for all of the rally really. I wasn`t going to risk everything and push like crazy when we could go off the road. I`m very happy with our finishing position.”

Malcolm Wilson, Team driver principal
“Matthew and I had talked a lot about this rally and he did exactly what I told him to. He`s driven a very sensible rally. I kept telling him it didn`t matter about the result, it just mattered about the finish – he got there and I`m delighted for him. It`s been a great event for us, we`ve won the Monte Carlo Rally with one team and my 18-year-old boy has finished 15th on his first ever trip to the Monte. Brilliant!”

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