Cambrian Rally 2015

V-Ex022 – Sara Williams finishes strong at the Diamond Cambrian Rally 2015

Sara Williams finished the 2015 season on a high as she clinched 2nd overall and 1st in class in the final BTRDA Challenge Mixed Surface Championship standings at the Diamond Jubilee Cambrian Rally. Sara and her co-driver Mark Glennerster also achieved a 3rd in class in the BTRDA Forestry Championship, capping a highly successful weekend before Sara takes on the deserts of Qatar in November. It has been a steep learning curve for Sara this season tackling tarmac and gravel surfaces, but after victory in the Red Dragon Rally and a multitude of top class performances, Williams has again come up trumps.

Based in Llandudno, North Wales, the Cambrian Rally celebrated its 60th anniversary in style incorporating 44 miles over 9 separate stages, with the inclusion of the notorious Great Orme stage as the season finale. Organised by North Wales Car Club, nearly 200 cars lined up at the start line at the picturesque Llandudno seafront, all competitors honoured to be taking part in this very special event. With championship standings at stake on stages infamous for their Wales Rally GB status, the pressure was on for Sara and Mark.

The first stage of the day, Crafnant, saw Sara and Mark past the post joint 19th. However an uncharacteristic spin on stage 2 Elsi caused Sara and Mark to drop 20 seconds, luckily Sara was able to guide the car over the line, limiting the damage to dropping to 20th overall. With the dangers of Welsh gravel firmly reinforced, Sara took her V-Ex sponsored Subaru Impreza to stage 3, Penmachno North.

With the pressure well and truly on, Sara climbed to 19th overall by the end of SS3 with a typically consistent drive. On SS4 Penmachno South Sara and Mark held position with a cushion of 6 seconds to the car behind. SS5 saw a repeat of Crafnant. Sara took the opportunity to climb to 18th overall, refusing to let the spin on stage 2 affect her flow. A re-run of Elsi was the next challenge for the drivers, which Sara duly rose to, jumping two places to 16th overall.
SS7 Penmachno North was again a stage of consolidation for Sara, as she held 16th place at the final timing post. Despite the late stage of the rally, Sara found herself embroiled in a tight pack during SS8 Penmachno South. Despite another consistent top 20 stage time, Sara and Mark went into the final stage of the rally 17th.

The final stage of the day, Great Orme, differed in surface from the preceding stages. An epic vein of tarmac skirting the green sea cliffs, drivers and spectators alike were treated to stunning views across the bay. A firm Wales Rally GB favourite, it would be difficult to choose a stage more apt to finish the season.

In her final drive in anger on British soil this year, Sara and Mark crossed the line 17th overall and 4th in class. Having faced adversity and fought through, it was a result the Brecon Motors Team could be proud of, reaching 1st in class and 2nd overall in the championship after a challenging season.

Sara reflected on her season after the rally, ‘this has been a really enjoyable year for me personally. I’ve loved the experience of taking on new events we have never participated in before. The challenges of getting back onto to tarmac has also been a real bonus! I’d like to thank the team for their tireless efforts with the car, Mark for his great co-driving and everyone who has helped support us through this long season.’

After a highly successful domestic season, Sara will not be standing still to appreciate her achievements. Williams will be joining a number of fellow talented women chosen by the FIA Women In Motorsport Commission at a desert rally training camp in Qatar on the 2nd November, testing her mettle against the shifting dunes of the Middle East with Dakar Rally legend Jutta Kleinschmidt. Having already proven that surface is no obstacle this season, Sara will again prove why she is such an exciting addition to British motorsport domestically and worldwide.