Ford's world rally team director Malcolm Wilson and a leading figure in Australian motor sport, Garry Connelly, have been named in The Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Wilson was admitted to the Order of the British Empire after being awarded an OBE (Officer of the British Empire) for his services to British motorsport.
The award recognises distinguished achievement in any field at national or regional level and will be presented to Wilson from Her Majesty The Queen at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London later this year.
Wilson joins other British motorsport greats including Sir Jackie Stewart (GBE), Colin McRae (MBE), John Surtees (OBE), Nigel Mansell (OBE) and Damon Hill (OBE) in being granted an Order of the British Empire.
"It's a great honour, and a huge surprise, to be recognised in this way by Her Majesty The Queen," said 53-year-old Wilson, managing director of Cumbrian-based M-Sport, the preparation business which runs Ford's world rally programme.
"Motorsport, and particularly rallying, has been my life. I feel so proud to have delivered two world championship titles for Ford, and equally as proud to have done so from M-Sport's base at my home town in Cockermouth, Cumbria. I feel very humble that our achievements have been recognised in this way.
"But this is not just an honour for me. It's also a reward for all the employees at M-Sport who work so hard to keep Ford at the forefront of the FIA World Rally Championship. They should also feel great pride at this award," said Wilson.
Brisbane’s Garry Connelly was awarded a member in the general division of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to motorsport.
Connelly, a former rally co-driver and driver, has played a leading role in Australian motorsport for more than 20 years, and was instrumental in establishing the Perth based round of the WRC.
He has been the Australian delegate to the FIA since 2006 and a major player in the rally’s move this year from the west coast to northern New South Wales.
Source: http://www.wrc.com