M-Sport Ford’s team principal, Richard Millener, participated in the Malcolm Wilson Rally in England over the weekend, named after his boss. The result was a victory in the R2 class.
This was Millener’s most significant achievement in his driving career so far. Competing in a Ford Fiesta R2T, Millener beat Martin Meadows by 48 seconds to second place in their class.
“It’s always great to be out there competing. We’re at a point where there’s potential for change in our sport and being out and competing at a more grass roots level, talking to the fans and the enthusiasts is so important,” Millener told according to WRC.com.
“Last week is the very reason I got involved in this sport, it’s because I’m passionate about it and I love it. It was great to get the chance to talk to people and get some thoughts on where we’re going.”
The car Millener drove is owned by students from Harper Adams University, who also handled the car’s maintenance. M-Sport collaborates with the university.
“They did a fantastic job, and it was hard to understand I was driving in a team run by engineering students and not a professional team.”
“Winning the class was great – and great for my co-driver Gail (Whyte) who was in the car for the first time – but it was all about being out there in a sport I love,” the M-Sport Ford boss added.
Millener also had a chance to tease Toyota’s team principal Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finnish ace also competed last weekend in his homeland at the Tuuri Rally, where he showed impressive speed in an old Toyota Celica. However, Latvala’s race ended in a crash on the penultimate special stage.
“As for Jari-Matti… yes, he might have been going a little bit quicker than me when he rolled, but all the prizes are at the finish,” Millener said.
Read also: Jari-Matti Latvala’s rollover caught on video – “On Grandma’s road!”
