British Rally Championships: 'Incredible legacy' of a driver who was killed in crash will live on
The British Rally Championships have paid tribute to competitor Dai Roberts who died in a crash, saying "his incredible legacy" will live on across "every car for years to come".
Co-driver Dai Roberts, from Carmarthen in south Wales, died after the incident on the Edrom Mains road, near Duns, before 11am on 24 May 2025.
Rally driver James Williams was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Police Scotland confirmed that no one else was injured in the incident.
The organisation said the 39-year-old "touched everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him."
In a statement, they said: "Hailing from his beloved Carmarthen, he was a man deeply rooted in the sport, with a career spanning over 22 years at both national and international levels.
"His partnership with several talented drivers, including James Williams in recent seasons, was built not only on skill but on unwavering trust.
"Drivers and teams knew they could count on him, his timing was meticulous, his notes delivered with unshakeable calm, and his attention to detail was second to none.
"But beyond the stages, it was Dai's character that made him special. He was gentle, humble, and unfailingly generous with his time, whether helping a newcomer find their feet or checking in quietly on a teammate after a tough day. To many, he was the soul of a service park: never loud, but always present when it mattered.
"Dai knew all too well the fragility of life in motorsport, yet, despite such heartbreak, he continued, his love for rallying never dimmed, and neither did his strength.
"He is survived by his family, including his wife Louise and children, who were the centre of his world.
"They and the wider rallying community continue to grieve not only for a competitor, but a man who lived with fire in his belly, gave generously, and left the sport better than he found it.
"Dai Roberts was, simply put, one of rallying's good souls. His ferocious passion on the stages and quick wit and humour away from them will live on with his incredible legacy that will roll out the service park with every car for years to come."
The motorsport group say they will honour the welshman's legacy in future events.
Motorsport UK, the sport's governing body, are conducting a "full investigation" into the circumstances of Dai's death.
In a statement last weekend, the group said: "Motorsport UK sends its condolences to Dai's family and friends, the Jim Clark Rally, Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and members of the motorsport community."
The Jim Clark Rally event, which is a road competition near Duns in honour of Berwickshire motorsport legend Jim Clark, was cancelled on 25 May 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Scotsman
The 22 Edinburgh roads where speed limit will be reduced from 40mph to 30mph from next month
Changes designed to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists will involve the speed limit on 22 roads in Edinburgh being reduced from 40mph to 30mph. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Drivers in Edinburgh will face stricter new speed limits across some of the city's busiest roads from next month as part of long-awaited changes. The speed limit will be cut from 40mph to 30mph on 22 streets throughout the city, including key thoroughfares such as Queensferry Road and Wester Hailes Road. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The changes, which were first approved more than five years ago, are designed to encourage motorists to drive more slowly and boost the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. Edinburgh City Council will begin implementing the speed reduction measures from June 9. The work to install new speed limit signs will begin at Biggar Road, and run throughout June and July. Once the new signs are in place, the new speed limits will be enforceable. Queensferry Road is among those streets impacted by the changes. | TSPL The other roads impacted by the new lower limit are: Calder Road; Frogston Brae; Glasgow Road (east section) Glasgow Road (west section and Old Liston Road); Gogar Station Road; Hawes Brae and Bankhead Road; Hillhouse Road; Lang Loan (section at the junction with Lasswade Road); Lasswade Road; Milton Road, Milton Road East and Milton Link; Riccarton Mains Road; Sir Harry Lauder Road; Seafield Road; South Gyle Broadway; Straiton Road; and Wester Hailes Road Stephen Jenkinson, the council's transport and environment convener, said: 'Road safety is a key priority for us and I'm glad that we're moving ahead with this important process. Whilst this has taken longer than we initially anticipated, I'm confident that these measures will make many of our roads across the city safer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The evidence is clear - lower speed limits make roads safer for everyone. A pedestrian or cyclist has twice the chance of surviving a collision at 30mph compared to 40mph. Any action that we can take to make sure all road users are safer is a positive step.' The changes, which have been supported by Police Scotland, were initially agreed as long ago as February 2020, when the council began the statutory process for what is known as a traffic regulator order to reduce the speed limit on the streets. However, complications brought about by the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to delays. The surgeon was driving at below the 30mph speed limit, the court heard | PA More than 100 traffic surveys were undertaken prior to the changes being ratified. A consultation was also held, with 52 responses received, of which 32 were letters of support, with 20 objections. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A consultant was appointed to design the necessary changes to the streets impacted, with road safety audits also carried out once the designs were completed. According to the council, the programme of changes was then passed over to the delivery team in November last year for procurement. The move meets several policies in the council's local transport strategy. A map of the roads with new 30mph speed limits can be viewed on the council's website. It comes as the council is considering wider changes to introduce 20mph speed limits on more roads across the city. The changes, which are expected to be rolled out from late 2026, are estimated to cost around £850,000. Here is the full list of roads where speed limits will be reduced from 40pmh to 30pmh
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Huge sum raised for family of 'one of the best' killed in crash
Huge sum raised for family of 'one of the best' killed in crash Dai Roberts from the Carmarthen area died 13 years after his brother was also killed in a rally crash. He's been described as a 'winner in life' who had a 'big, big heart' Rally co-driver Dai Roberts from Carmarthenshire, who died in a crash on May 24 (Image: Motorsport UK ) Almost £150,000 has been raised for the family of 'one of the best' who tragically died in a rally car during an event in Scotland. Dai Roberts, from Carmarthenshire, was killed on Saturday, May 24, having been involved in a crash while taking part in the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders. Emergency services were called to the crash site that morning but Mr Roberts, who was 39, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was co-driver in the rally car, while the driver, James Williams, was taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. To make matters even more tragic for the Roberts family, Dai's brother Gareth also died while rallying in Sicily 13 years ago. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here . In the wake of Mr Roberts' death last month, a fundraising page was set up in order to raise 'as much as possible for the funeral and on-going support for Dai's wife and children'. Incredibly, more than £100,000 was raised to help Mr Roberts' family in less than two days, while now, less than two weeks later, the total stands at £147,855. Motorsport journalist Luke Barry wrote on the website Dirtfish: 'It never, ever gets any easier. It never, ever feels fair. But for a family that has gone through so much pain, the heartbreaking loss of Dai Roberts has been particularly tough to take. 'The impact he made on the rallying community is immeasurable, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, professionalism and, above all, kindness. Article continues below 'Everybody has a story about him - each and every one unique and now so dearly cherished. But all underpinned by one common theme: Dai's big, big heart. Even when he didn't have time to speak to you, he made time to speak to you. 'The outpouring of emotion and online tributes since the heartbreaking news speak volumes. Dai improved lives. Dai was a winner on the special stages, but more importantly a winner in life.' Dai Roberts (right) with driver James Williams, who was also injured in the crash (Image: James Williams media office ) Other tributes paid to Mr Roberts since his death help paint a picture of the type of man he was. Co-driver Rob Fagg said: 'Dai as we walked back this morning (Saturday) from collecting our time cards, laughing and joking I didn't ever expect that to be the last time. One of the best in the seat, great friend in the sport over many, many years of competition. You will be missed by so many my friend.' Fellow Welsh rally driver Meirion Evans said: 'It's hard to know what to say, something like this hits hard and it still feels a bit numb. But there aren't many like Dai. 'A proper co-driver, driver, decent footballer, all round competitor and one of the most determined and strong people I have ever come across. My thoughts go out to the entire Roberts family.' Andy Davies, a British rally driver and close friend of Mr Roberts, said: 'Still struggling to process and acknowledge the reality of this. The world can be so damn cruel. 'Never more than a phone call away, Dai stepped up when I needed it most. He always had the answers. Someone I always had the utmost respect for, and someone I was lucky to call a friend. 'A life lived, a mark left on the world for so many. We all have a story about Dai. I'll look back on the memories, and miss you so very much.' Article continues below If you would like to contribute to the fundraising page set up for Mr Roberts' family, you can still do so here. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Road shut for 'foreseeable future' over busy motorway and near airport after lorry hits bridge
The road was shut after a lorry collided with a bridge on the M8. Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A road over the M8 and close to Glasgow Airport has been shut indefinitely after a lorry hit a bridge. The vehicle collided with the bridge close to junction 27 over the motorway about 2.50pm on Wednesday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The road will be closed for the foreseeable future | Adobe Arkleston Road in Renfrew was subsequently closed, with Police Scotland confirming the route will remain shut for the foreseeable future. Lanes at junction 27 heading towards the airport were closed immediately after the incident, but have since reopened. The public has been asked to come forward with more information about the incident. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Police Sergeant Adnan Alam, from the Road Policing Unit said: 'We are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward. I would appeal to motorists with dash cam footage to come forward.
