Guy Wilks, a two-time winner of the British Rally Championship, is planning to progress to the Intercontinental Rally Challenge this season.

The 29-year-old Briton actually contested the IRC-counting Rally Russia in a Honda Civic Type-R last July but was unable to continue in the JAS Motorsport-run car this season after Honda withdrew from international competition at the end of 2008.

Wilks has since linked-up with the Mellors Elliott Motorsport team, the British company responsible for Proton's Satria Neo Super 2000 challenger, and completed a test in Wales last month. Proton became the seventh manufacturer to register for the IRC in March.

"I would like to do the IRC," said Wilks. "There are lots of opportunities in the IRC because it is attracting manufacturers who all seem to be very enthusiastic. I've tested the Proton for one day and I was very impressed with it. There are some areas where it can be improved but I am sure that will come. I'm convinced it can get some very good results in the IRC."

Wilks was a former rival of his fellow Briton Kris Meeke in the Junior World Rally Championship. Meeke has established himself as one of the IRC's leading drivers after winning the second round of the series in Brazil last month.