Welsh rally driver killed in crash 13 years after his brother died in a racing accident
A Welsh rally driver taking part in the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland has died in a crash. Dai Roberts, a 39-year-old co-driver from Carmarthen, was pronounced dead at the scene near Duns in the Scottish Borders this morning May 24.
Driver James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders. The event is named after Formula One champion Jim Clark.
It is a double tragedy for the family after Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 in a racing accident in Palermo, Italy, in 2012.
At the time Dai was beginning his career as a co-driver. He encouraged his followers to donate to his brother's memorial fund which helps injured drivers.
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Dai also narrowly avoided death in 2014 when he was airlifted to hospital following a crash at a race in Northern Ireland that killed driver Timothy Cathcart. He made a full recovery and returned to the sport.
In 2014 the Jim Clark Rally was halted after the deaths of three people and was cancelled the following year.
It has since been reinstated in the UK racing calendar.
Superintendent Vincent Fisher of Police Scotland said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
Paying tribute Motorsport UK 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.
"Motorsport UK has initiated a full investigation into the circumstances of the incident and will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities."
The Jim Clark Rally is named after Formula One champion, Jim Clark who grew up in the Scottish Borders.
It is round of the Probite British Rally Championship, Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship and Protyre National Asphalt Championship.
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