Latest news with #Dai
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
James Williams Rallying pays tribute to Dai Roberts
James Williams of Newcastle Emlyn and Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, were involved in a crash during the Jim Clark Rally, near Duns in the Scottish Borders, on Saturday May 24. Tragically Dai did not survive his injuries while James, 27, was taken to hospital with critical injuries that were not life-threatening. James Williams Rallying has posted a tribute to Dai, as well as an update into James' condition in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Hospital. 'Our hearts are with the Roberts family,' said the tribute posted on Facebook. 'Dai was a deeply loved member of our rallying family and the rallying community across the world. 'He was not only a co-driver to James, but a best friend, a pivotal part of our family-run team, and a loving and devoted husband and father. His warmth, humour and passion touched everyone who knew him and love that transcended motorsport.' The post sent love and support to Dai's family and to 'everyone who was lucky enough to know and love Dai'. 'He will always be with us in our hearts and in our stories,' it read. 'We will all step-up for the Roberts family, the way Dai always showed up for so many on so many occasions.' James from Newcastle Emlyn has undergone successful surgery at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He is now stable, able to communicate and slowly gaining strength with each passing day. 'He has received incredible care from the emergency services and hospital team, for which we are endlessly grateful,' said the James Williams Rallying team. 'While there is still a long journey ahead both physically and emotionally, the trajectory so far has been positive.' The update said that the messages sent by supporters had been shared with James and 'truly meant so much'. 'The support from the rallying and wider community has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated by everyone around James,' said the post. 'Thank you for your continued compassion, respect, privacy and support to both families during this incredibly difficult time.' James and Dai were in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 as they battled for the lead of the British Rally Championship contest. Police Scotland said that inquiries were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the crash. Motorsport UK has also initiated a full investigation and says it will work closely with the Jim Clark Rally event organisers and Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club and will co-operate with the relevant authorities.
6 days ago
- Sport
Rally community raises over £100,000 for Dai Roberts' family
'Dai helped so many people after they had accidents whilst competing, now it's our turn to help his family after the terrible accident on SS8 of the Jim Clark Rally last Saturday.'
ITV News
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- ITV News
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.
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
'I didn't expect that to be the last time': Much- loved rally driver had been laughing and joking with friends before fatal crash
'I didn't expect that to be the last time': Much- loved rally driver had been laughing and joking with friends before fatal crash Tributes are pouring in following the tragic death of a Welsh rally driver on Saturday Rally driver Dai Roberts A Welsh rally driver who died during a race in Scotland had been laughing and joking with colleagues just moments before getting into the car. The death of Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, has left the rally world stunned and follows the death of his brother in the same sport. Dai was pronounced dead at the scene near Duns in the Scottish Borders on the morning of May 24. Driver James Williams, 27, was also taken to hospital with serious injuries, but not ones that are deemed life-threatening. The Jim Clark Rally is an annual closed-road motorsport race in the Scottish Borders, named after Formula One champion Jim Clark. Dai's team, James Williams Rallying announced his passing with the following tribute: "It is with a heavy heart, we have to share this sad news." Some had been with just moments before the start of the race. Rally co-driver Rob Fagg paid tribute saying: "Dai as we walked back this morning 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. Article continues below "Thinking of all your family and closest friends at this sad time - especially Louise and the kids. "To James and the whole team my thoughts are with you, and James wish you a speedy recovery. "We lost one of the sports characters, RIP Dai - back with the main man Jaffa, Craig and Timmy - be some chat between you all this evening." Fellow Welsh rally driver Meirion Evans posted the following tribute: "24 hours ago we geared up to go and fight for the win on the last day of the Jim Clark Rally. I've raced James and Dai before and knew they would give everything. But a few hours later, none of this mattered. Rally driver James Williams (right) with co-driver Dai Roberts (Image: Motorsport UK ) "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 and to James, Mark and the whole JWR team. I would also like to wish James a speedy recovery." Another British rally driver, and close fried of Dai's Andy Davies said: "[I am] 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." 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. Dai Roberts (right) pictured with James Williams (Image: James Williams media office ) 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. Article continues below 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.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
First picture of passenger killed at Jim Clark Rally with driver in Edinburgh hospital
A co-driver who was killed in a crash at the Jim Clark Rally in The Borders on Saturday has been named. Dai Roberts, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene after a collision at the event at around 10.50am on May 24. Emergency services were called to Edrom Mains Road near Duns, reports the Daily Record. The driver, James Williams, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries. The event was cancelled, along with the Reivers Rally which was scheduled for Sunday. READ MORE: Edinburgh police probe latest firebombing outside home as gang war rages on READ MORE: Edinburgh police tape off home and forensics scour the scene as campervan 'torched' A statement from James William Rallying reads: "Update from the Team. It is with a heavy heart, we have to share this sad news this afternoon. "The motorsport community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts - who lost his life in an incident at the Jim Clark Rally on Saturday 24 May 2025. Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox "James has been taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time. We will provide updates as and when we have them. "Please respect the privacy of the families and team at this time." Tributes have since poured in for Dai from the motor sporting world. Writing online, Sambo Collis said: "Can't believe I'm typing this. The first time I met Dai was on the classic tracks some 20 years ago, he made us feel very welcome competing in South Wales, from then on I was happy to class him as a mate. "A wicked sense of humour, a fantastic co driver & a lunatic behind the wheel! What rallying has put the poor Roberts family through certainly makes you question things." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. The BBC reports that Dai survived a previous crash at the Ulster Rally in 2014 which killed 20-year-old driver Timothy Cathcart. Tragically, his brother Gareth died competing in a rally in Sicily in June 2012. Nick Young said: "Rest in peace Dai, you're finally reunited with Gareth Roberts, Craig Breen, and Timmy, My thoughts are with your family and friends sir. "It was a pleasure to know you. James Williams Rallying I wish you a speedy recovery." Superintendent Vincent Fisher said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
