Phil Mills

The first Welshman to be crowned a world rally champion.

Born:

30 AUG 1963

Place of Birth:

Trefeglwys

Biography:

Born in Trefeglwys, Phil Mills' interest in rallying began in Powys after he joined his local motor club. His career as a co-driver kicked off in 1983 when he began co-driving on British road rallies.

He was soon making a name for himself on the circuit and between 1988 and 1990, he managed to squeeze in a total of 88 rallies.

His international break came in 1990 when he co-drove Graham Middleton in the Group N production car category, finishing third overall on the Welsh Rally.

Over the next few years, his career went from strength to strength. In 1996, he became co-driver for Mark Higgins at Nissan, finishing second in the British Championship and overall fourth on the Rally GB.

The following year, Mills and Higgins went one better by winning the British Championship. Together, they competed in five World Championship events in 1988.

In 1999, Mills joined Petter Solberg at Ford. Solberg was an inexperienced Norwegian driver at the time but thanks to Mills' wealth of expertise, they achieved a string of excellent results during their first two years together and became a force to be reckoned with.

In August 2000, Mills and Solberg announced that they were leaving Ford and signing for Subaru. Under the Subaru World Rally Team banner, they came second in the 2002 World Championship.

Their biggest triumph to date came in 2003 - on homeground for Mills. In the Wales Rally of Great Britain, he co-drove Solberg to victory in their Subaru Impreza - a victory which also clinched them the World Rally Championship.

Speaking in Cardiff after becoming the first Welshman to crowned a world rally champion, Mills had this to say:

"It's the ultimate feeling. It's the pinnacle of the sport and to win that is very, very pleasing but I think it'll take a few days to sink in.

"World champion and to do it on home soil, just a couple of hours from home after going something like four times around the world, what more can I say?"

In September 2004, he helped Solberg and Subaru to win the inaugural Rally of Japan before the duo went on to clinch the Wales Rally GB after a thrilling final day of competing.

Phil Mills still lives in Powys - in the market town of Caersws, with his partner Helen and daughter Sioned. He lists his hobbies as shooting and cycling.

Career Highlights 2002 2nd in Drivers World Rally Championship and First WRC Win Rally of Great Britain 2000 Signed by Subaru World Rally Team 1998 6th overall World Rally Championship 1997 Winner British Rally Championship 1993 and 1992 Winner Welsh National Championship with Brian Bell

If you'd like to comment on Phil Mills' achievements, just fill in the form below.

your comments

Kevin Morgan, Glyncorrwg MTB Centre
Phil has inspired many Welsh co-drivers, one of them being my friend Dylan Jenkins to compete in a more professional manner, and to excel at their chosen discipline.He is not only a World Class Sportsman, but on the occasions I've met him, he's been very approachable, and humble with it.Truly a role model for all Welsh sportspersons, and an inspirational figure in British Rallying.I wish Phil & Petter all the success they richly deserve for the forthcoming seasons they will share together, and if SWRT put the right vehicle under them they will once again be crowned World Champions.
Mon Feb 25 08:11:53 2008

Jozef Knuckey, Wales , Swansea
As long as the subaru keeps in form you will nail the 2006 wrc championship (make sure you win WALES RALLY GB) keep those co-calls coming phil!
Fri Nov 18 22:49:51 2005

Steff Thomas
I think Phil Mills and Solberg will be crowned 2006 world champs.
Sat Nov 12 10:38:47 2005

jordi
peter solberg and mills make an excelent team solberg is an excelent driver and mills an excellent co-driver, thats an excellent combination.
Wed Nov 2 00:19:27 2005

Angela Smith Powys
Nora from Gap in France...Nicky Grist was never a world champion! Colin McRae became world champion with Derek Ringer.
Thu Aug 18 22:15:52 2005

Nathan Enoch, Glyncorrwg
WRC is the best thing that you can see on roads and I follow it everywhere. The best driver of all times was Colin Mcrae but now S. Loeb.
Mon Apr 25 12:19:32 2005

Paul Jones from Aberystwyth
Great to see Phil succeed at the highest level. As with most of the top British co-drivers, his past road rallying experience will have helped him no end. Good luck to him in the future.
Fri Apr 23 14:04:06 2004

malcolm owen near manchester
I closely follow the progress of the WRC on Eurosport, mostly and it's a tribute to a mid wales native of the calibre of Phil Mills (and Peter Solberg) to reach the top accolade of such a fast and dangerous sport.The rest of us can only 'dream' of such high achievement and dedication in the pursuit of excellence.Pob Lwc Phil boy!!
Mon Mar 22 20:05:45 2004

Nora From Gap in France
Phil is a so great codriver, a great guy!! Phil is the 1st welsh world chamion, in the text , but i think we don't have to forgot what did Nicky Grist!!!... Hope that in the future, mills junior Iwan will do the same!!
Fri Mar 5 14:01:00 2004

John Arthur Aberystwyth
It's great to see Wales at the top of any sport, and with rallying so close to many peoples hearts in Wales Phil's championship was welcomed by all.
Mon Feb 16 18:02:47 2004

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