Last updated 19:45, Thursday, 17 July 2008

WEST Cumbria’s Matthew Wilson took time out of his busy schedule during the World Rally Championship's summer break, to catch up with old mates Lewis Hamilton and Marc Hynes at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend.

Wilson and his Stobart Motorsport team were in attendance on all three days of the largest and most glamorous motorsport festival in Britain as the 21-year-old took part in exhibition runs up the Goodwood hillclimb and over the 2.5 kilometre forest stage.

He caught up with friend and former team-mate Lewis Hamilton for lunch between the two exhibition runs on Sunday where the pair chatted about how their years have been progressing so far.

Former British Formula 3 Champion and ex-BAR Formula 1 test driver Marc Hynes also reminisced with the Stobart driver.

A former coach to Wilson during his Formula Renault days, Hynes was also treated to a blast around the Goodwood forest stage, exiting the car after his run in a very excited manner.

The sealed surface expert was amazed by the speeds at which top WRC drivers are able to pedal their World Rally cars on gravel.

After a successful event the Stobart VK M-Sport Ford rally team now have their sights firmly set on the Neste Oil Rally Finland in two weeks time.

Wilson said: “Goodwood was again great fun this year and the weather helped a lot with the rain staying away.

“It was fantastic to see Lewis again this year and have a chat about how things have been going in 2008.

“These sort of events are great for the fans because they can get closer to the cars, and the drivers, more than any other event out there.”