Orange Amps rally driver James Williams returns to action in Scotland this weekend as he aims to turbocharge his title aspirations in the third round of the Probite British Rally Championship – the Jim Clark Rally (24/25 May).
Williams along with co-driver Ross Whittock currently sit fourth in the BRC title standings following two solid fourth place finishes on the Tarmac of the North West and gravel of Mid Wales, and head to the Scottish lowlands eager to break into the rostrum positions and move up the series ranks.
The pair are on a performance high having won the non BRC points scoring Manx Rally a fortnight ago in their Hyundai Motorsport i20 Rally2 machine. The drive to victory did see them extend their lead in the Protyre National Asphalt Rally Championship, and the Jim Clark Rally will also host the Tarmac-based series this weekend, with the duo eyeing a strong result in both categories.
What faces the Welshman is two days, 87 miles in both day and night conditions on the closed public roads around Duns. The 26-year-old will be hoping some of his Manx magic will carry across the water to Scotland for the latest test against former British, European and World Rally Champions.
“I am feeling good ahead of this one,” enthused Williams. “The win on the Isle of Man has given me a real confidence boost. By doing that event and by putting together two days of consistent performances it has given me plenty of time in the car and now I feel I am starting to really grab the car by the horns and unlocking some of its potential.
“I do love the Jim Clark [Rally] – I had a good result a couple of years ago in the older i20 R5 car. The roads suit me well, plenty of commitment, bumpy in places and having the darkness is a real atmospheric part of the event. The event mileage is less than previous years – which will make it a real shoot-out for victory. We are in the best position we have been all season so we can’t wait to turn-up the wick and get into the thick of the action.”
The Jim Clark Rally gets underway with a Ceremonial Start in Duns Square on Friday afternoon before 40 miles in the dusk and darkness before a further 47 miles rounds out the event on Saturday afternoon with the winners crowned in Duns Square
