MEMBERS of the Williams rally team from Cenarth celebrated a fantastic victory in the BTRDA Plains Rally at Welshpool.

Beforehand driver James Williams and the team were certainly looking to change the recent run of bad luck and finally achieve the result they deserved. But the Thomas Panels 1400 BTRDA rally victory exceeded all expectations.

James said: "I honestly cannot believe it, a year ago, I started and finished my first rally here in Welshpool, and year later I’m on the top step of the podium, taking the champagne and silverware, it’s a dream come true."

He added: "It has been a long journey to get here, so many people have contributed to giving me the best possible car for the job, after the recent run of poor luck, it really does make those long hours worthwhile."

The team now look forward to a short break before the Carlisle rally where they will be looking to continue improving and really make their mark on this year’s championship.

The preparation for the rally had started weeks earlier with the car being completely refreshed after mechanical gremlins on the Somerset in April.

The car was finally finished, cleaned and loaded on Thursday night, where finally, the crew could relax a little before the rally commenced.

James said the crew, especially his Dad and the guys at OLLE precision engineering had worked around the clock to ensure the car was right for the event.

The crew posted the joint fastest 1400 time on the first run through Gartheiniog in the morning, leaving them joint with the Proton Satria crew for 1st heading into the 2nd test in Dyfi.

Clean runs through stages 2 and 3 meant James and Paul Wakely slipped to 2nd, but with zero damage and a good platform to build from in the afternoon stages.

The crew then headed with brand new DMACK G42 tyres for the reminder four stages, where the aim was to close up the gap and win the rally. SS4 was a very good clean run for the pair, setting the fastest 1400 time, mounting their attack for the win. Ultimately though, it wasn’t enough to really cut the deficit as the leading car also posted a very competitive time.

The crew then made the decision to drive to the absolute limit on SS5 Dyfi East, to ensure the JWR KA powered by HT Installations Ltd was quickest on the stage.

James and Paul placed the 31st fastest overall time, first fastest 1400 by seven seconds which boosted the crew into first place giving them a commanding lead, even though they didn’t know it.

SS6 posed some tricky conditions with large ruts and the continuation of hanging dust making it difficult to see clearly. The crew came through clean, slightly anxious to see whether the dust had caused a loss in time and a potential drop in order.

The crew set off for the final stage unaware that they had a 17 second lead in the class, but stage 7 certainly was not going to be a let up.

The JWR crew came through second fastest 1400S in stage 7, taking the Thomas Panels 1400 BTRDA rally victory, seven gravel events after setting foot in a gravel car, progressing from the Junior Formula 1000 Championship.