NEWCASTLE Emlyn driver James Williams and co-driver Ross Whittock stormed to an impressive international victory in the Junior Category of the Ypres Rally in Belgium, which was part of the British Rally Championship.

Williams and English co-driver Whittock lit up the stages in the Vauxhall Adam R2. Having broke his BRC podium duck in Ypres 12 months ago, Williams went two better to clinch his first Junior BRC victory.

Despite a spin on stage 11, thus losing his grip on the top of the timesheets, a spirited fight-back allowed Williams to spray the champagne and claim the honour for the fastest R2 front-wheel-drive car on the event, and secure the Junior Tony Pond award for the first British crew.

Williams played his Joker Card in Belgium, giving him a further five points, to catapult him to the top of the Junior BRC standings.

“This was most definitely my best week in rallying, with my awesome team,” said Williams. “We had some really good pace from the start, and we enjoyed all 23 of the special stages.

“Setting a fastest time on stage one was a perfect start to the rally, and we continued from there. It was great to see so many Welsh and Union Jack flags, and the support there was amazing.

“After settling into a good rhythm, we had a slight hiccup on stage 11, where we spun and dropped 20 seconds. After the reset and a few choice words from Ross, we got back on it and fought back into the lead, and closed it out with a few nervous stages to finish.

“To take first RC4, first front wheel drive and JBRC honours, in 25th overall, is way beyond what I could have dreamt for the event.

“It’s the biggest team effort to date, and everyone has played such important parts in our success. A special thanks to Ken Rees and David Whittock for the expert advice. Not to mention my co-driver Ross Whitlock on the notes, who did a stunning job in the car.

“Also, a massive thanks goes to my sponsors and partners, as without them this would not be possible.

William Creighton and Liam Regan pushed the Vauxhall duo hard in their Peugeot 208 R2 and inherited the lead when Williams faulted. The thousands of fans stage-side were denied a battle royale, however, as on stage 15 the crew from Northern Ireland slid into an infamous Belgian ditch and retired on the spot.

Second went to BRC debutants Josh McErlean and Aaron Johnston (Ford Fiesta R2T) while another crew new to the podium, James Wilson and Gavin Doherty (Peugeot 208 R2) made it three different marques inside the top three positions.

Meanwhile Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod stretched their British Championship lead after an enthralling contest.

The Welsh pair claimed a last-gasp victory to seal their first BRC win on Tarmac – backing up their victory on the opening round of the series on gravel.

What’s more, the M-Sport crew lifted the Tony Pond Trophy for the first British crew in eighth place overall in the Ford Fiesta R5.