Somerset Stages 18th April 2015 (Pre event Press Release)

Britain’s #1 Female Rally Driver to Compete at the Somerset Rally, 18th April 2015

Sara Williams will be back on stage for the Somerset Stages Rally on the 18th April, competing in the first round of The British Trial & Rally Drivers Association (BTRDA) Rally Challenge. Driving her V-Ex sponsored Subaru Impreza N12 rally machine, Sara will be racing through the picturesque Brendon Hills on the edge of Exmoor National Park, hoping to add to her already extensive list of honours. Sara will be reunited with co-driver Patrick Walsh, the duo having recently completed their first full WRC event as part of the Brecon Motors Rally Team.

The BTRDA Rally Challenge comprises the first of seven separate events across asphalt and gravel surfaces. The challenge aims to find the best multi-surface rally driver – only a competitor’s five best scores are collated at the end of the season, but this total must include two results from each surface. The Somerset Stages comprises 80% gravel and 20% tarmac – both surfaces on which Sara has great experience. After learning her craft on the infamous Welsh stages and her recent successful completion of WRC Wales Rally GB – Sara will be aiming for the head of the running.

The event has been running since 1977 and was incorporated as a BTRDA event in 1996. This year Rally HQ will be based in the town of Minehead, in the YMCA Beach Hotel; the service and inspection areas being located on the seafront car parks courtesy of Somerset County Council. The event remains one of the few rally courses still running in the South West and will provide fans with the opportunity to view high level motor racing entertainment.

This year’s event will see 165 cars competing incorporating a wide range of classic and contemporary vehicles, so fans of all ages will find plenty to enjoy. The newly designated Kennisham Forest Spectators Stage will provide the perfect place to view drivers and machines in action, so spectators are advised to only view the rally from this area.

Sara will be driving 44 competitive stage miles and 65 road miles throughout the day, guided by Patrick as they race against some of the premier rally outfits in the country. As always with the support of her family at Brecon Motors, Patrick, her fans and her sponsor V-Ex Virtual Exhibitions – Sara will be in prime position to prove again why she is one of the rising stars in rallying today.