Orange Amps rally driver James Williams returns to action in Scotland this weekend as he aims to reignite his title aspirations in the third round of the Probite British Rally Championship – the Jim Clark Rally (23/24 May).
27-year-old Williams has experienced a mixed season to date in Britain’s premier rallying series. A podium on the opening round was met with a battling point on the recent Carlisle Stages last time out. Next up for the Welshman is the Jim Clark Rally – a happy hunting ground after scoring a podium in Scotland a few years ago in the older specification Hyundai i20 R5 car.
Fast forward to 2025 and Williams is revved up in his quest to return the rostrum. Back on Tarmac – James feels at home in his turbo-charged Hyundai i20 Rally2 car – building knowledge of the MRF Tyres in the process. With usual co-driver Ross Whittock unable to travel to Scotland – reuniting with the Newcastle Emlyn driver will be fellow countryman and former co-driver Dai Roberts who aims to bring continuity inside the Hyundai this weekend.
Currently sitting sixth in the BRC title standings, heading to the Scottish lowlands Williams and Roberts will be eager to break back onto the podium and challenge for the win in the hope of moving Williams up the series rankings.
What faces the Welshman is two days and 100 miles in both day and night conditions on the closed public roads around Duns. The opening day will be opened with the Langton Mill stage featuring the iconic water splash. Six stages on the opening day, takes the action from daylight through to darkness on the atmospheric opening night. The second day has another eight stages on the high-speed, bumpy roads – with fortune set to favour the brave.
“In all honesty, it’s been an incredible start to the season — each event for its own reasons,” said Williams – reflecting on the first part of the season.
“We’ve brought some brilliant brands on board, kicked off our BRC campaign with a podium at the East Riding Stages, and made the step-up to compete in Spain with Team MRF Tyres in the FIA European Rally Championship.
“Spain didn’t go to plan — we hit a barrier that left the car needing some repairs. But less than a week later, we were back out at the Carlisle Stages — though not without a few hiccups! Back on gravel, trying out the MRF Tyres for the first time and posting some strong times, but a damaged wheel knocked us out of podium contention.
“It’s already been a real rollercoaster. But the opportunities we’ve had, the setbacks we’ve pushed through, and the support from the team, our sponsors, and the Orange Army — it’s meant a lot.
“Next up – the Jim Clark Rally. We know we can be competitive there — we finished second overall in 2023 in the Hyundai i20 R5. Last year started off tough with a few early issues, so the whole team’s fired up to make this year’s trip to Scotland count and keep our championship push moving forward.
“A win there would be something special — and that’s 100% the target. Putting Orange Amplifiers, MRF Tyres and Hyundai on the top step in the British Rally Championship would mean everything.”
The next round for James and his team will be the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland on the 23-24 May. With a switch to Tarmac – Williams is eager to repeat his opening round sealed-surface form and return to the rostrum once again.
James would like to thank his team of loyal partners: Orange Amps, MRF Tyres, Fort Group, Hyundai Motorsport, Kissdental, Barri Davies Electrical, Rallycover, Omolagato Watches, Morrisons Daily, P1 Racewear, Nicky Grist Motorsports, Lucky Vacation Homes, Elite Clinical Excellence, Davies and Davies Furniture, Sinclair Group, WGD Plant Hire and West Coast Finance.
