SUZUKI GB makes its first ever official entry into British motorsport by entering a new team in the 2004 Kwik-Fit/Pirelli British Rally Championship.

Britain’s fastest-rising rallying star Guy Wilks leads the newly-formed Dealer Team Suzuki driving a five-door Suzuki Ignis in the BRC’s Super 1600 category.

The 23-year old, will drive an identical specification car with Welsh co-driver Phil Pugh on seven of the eight BRC rounds this season. Wilks and Pugh will miss October’s Trackrod Rally in Yorkshire due to their JWRC commitments in Italy but the team expects to field a replacement driver for this event.

Suzuki GB’s Director of Sales and Marketing David Seward said: “Dealer Team Suzuki will represent our 150 dealers across the country and we’re confident that in Guy Wilks we have the very best rallying star since world champions Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

“Terrestrial TV coverage on Channel 4 is a major bonus for the British Rally Championship and we’re certain the status of the BRC is on an upward curve once again.”

With Dealer Team Suzuki Wilks will compete against other two-wheel drive cars from a number of other manufacturers including MG, Ford, Citroen, Fiat and Vauxhall in his home series.

Wilks said: “Suzuki’s engineers have worked hard to make the Ignis a really strong all rounder and it is now probably the best car in Super 1600. The Ignis suits my driving style.”

The Kwik-Fit/Pirelli British Rally Championship starts on March 20-21.