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Pembrokeshire Herald
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Tributes paid to co-driver Dai Roberts after fatal rally crash
James Williams recovering in hospital following Scottish Borders incident TRIBUTES have been paid to co-driver DAI ROBERTS, who tragically lost his life during the Jim Clark Rally in the Scottish Borders. Roberts, aged 39 and from Carmarthen, was taking part in the rally alongside local driver JAMES WILLIAMS, 27, from Newcastle Emlyn, when their Hyundai i20N Rally2 was involved in a serious crash near Duns on Saturday, May 24. Williams was critically injured in the collision and airlifted to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His injuries, though serious, were not considered life-threatening, and his team have confirmed he is now stable and slowly regaining strength following surgery. In a heartfelt message posted by James Williams Rallying, the team paid tribute to Dai Roberts, describing him as a 'deeply loved' member of their rallying family and someone whose 'warmth, humour and passion' touched everyone he met. Recovering in hospital: James Williams (Pic: JWR) '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,' the post read. 'His love transcended motorsport.' The team also thanked the emergency services and hospital staff for their care and said the outpouring of support from the rallying and wider community had been overwhelming. 'The support truly means so much to James and all of us. Your compassion and respect have brought comfort during this incredibly difficult time.' James and Dai had been competing at the top level of the British Rally Championship when the incident occurred. Police Scotland confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the crash. Motorsport UK has launched a formal investigation and is working closely with the Jim Clark Rally organisers and relevant authorities.
Western Telegraph
3 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.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Josh Moffett elated to edge sibling rivalry after clinching Cavan Stages Rally victory
Tyre choice proved to be something of a lottery for the duration of the closed-road event due to a handful of special stages being bone dry in parts and biblically wet in others. However, Moffett – in his older-generation but much-preferred Hyundai Motorsport i20 R5 – got the rub of the green for the Third Round of the competition when it came to strategy. That allowed him to carve out an early lead on the opening speed test alongside stand-in co-driver Andy Hayes before he steadily added to that to finish at the head of the leaderboard. His older brother Sam – another former National champion – made it a Moffett one-two courtesy of a scratch time on the Power Stage. He went all out for the extra bonus point and, in doing so, leapfrogged Kevin Eves to take second in his Hyundai i20 N Rally2. 'It was a good day and we really enjoyed it,' said Josh, whose winning margin after almost 70 competitive miles was 18.2 seconds. 'With the Citroen breaking down on the last event in Kerry, it was important that we came here and got the win for the Championship. 'Getting a one-two is also pretty cool as well because it has been a while since that has happened,' he continued. 'But the most important thing is that I am on the top step!' Having been hampered in the opening exchanges by too hard a set-up, Sam's pursuit of a podium place was boosted on stage three when Round Two winner Eddie Doherty spun his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and Garry Jennings did the same in his M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2. His run to second was anything but plain sailing, however, as he got caught out under braking and ended up down a slip road on SS5 before reporting a pop-off valve issue on the next test. Set-up issues played into the hands of Eves on the penultimate stage before Sam regrouped to move back into the silver medal position with Shane Buckley right at the death. Robert Barrable produced a strong recovery drive to climb from seventh to fourth, helped in part by Jennings' earlier spin and Doherty's Czech supermini breaking a half shaft and a rear anti-roll bar. However, fifth was still good enough for Round Two winner Doherty to bank some all-important points. While he remains very much in the title hunt, Desi Henry's hopes were dealt another blow in Cavan. Targeting at least a top-three result, the best he could manage in a hired Ford Fiesta Rally2 was sixth, meaning the signs suggest he is set to pull out of the Championship.
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Reigning champions Josh Moffett and Andy Hayes claim victory at Cavan Rally
Reigning national champions Josh Moffett and his Wexford co-driver Andy Hayes took a start to finish victory in the Cavan Rally, the third round of the Triton Showers National Rally Championship. Another of the Moffett siblings, Sam (Hyundai i20 N Rally2), who was co-driven by Killarney's Shane Buckley, finished 18.2s behind after they edged out the Donegal duo of Kevin Eves/Chris Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2) by 3.7s on the final stage. Changeable weather conditions made it difficult as Josh Moffett coped best and with a trio of fastest times on the first loop, he led Sam by 15.7s with Eves, with one of his best performances since switching to Rally2, just two seconds further behind in third. Kilkenny's Eddie Doherty had a huge moment over a jump on the opening stage (where Sam Moffett also had a similar moment), a spin on the second stage and a time loss on SS3, saw him down in fifth - 24.3s off top spot. Michael Boyle was the first major retirement when his Skoda Fabia Rally2 slid off and crashed into a tree during the opening stage. The stage interruption rule was implemented on SS4 when the services were called to the assistance of Kesh driver Garry Jennings and his co-driver Brian Hoy when their Ford Fiesta Rally2 crashed heavily. Meanwhile, the top three of Josh and Sam Moffett and Eves each took a stage win as Josh led the family battle by 19.1s. Rain showers continued to make tyre choice a lottery and while Josh Moffett maintained a good lead, his brother Sam lost second place to a charging Eves, who entered the final stage just 1.4s ahead of his rival, who was determined to regain second and win the Power Stage to reduce his brother's haul of championship points, he managed to achieve both. Barrable and Doherty (who retains the lead of the series - three points ahead of Sam Moffett) completed the top five. In the Maiden City rally in Derry, Strabane's Ryan Caldwell (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) took a 5.9s victory over the Ford Fiesta Rally2 of Kesh driver Garry Jennings with Donegal's David Kelly (VW Polo GTi), who led for two stages, finishing 9.2s further behind in third. In wet conditions, Caldwell led Jennings by 1.2s on the first stage where Kelly was 2.3s off top spot in third. With a stage win on SS2 and despite issues with the wipers on SS3, Kelly led Jennings by 3.9s as Caldwell slipped to third - 5.7s off the lead. However, Caldwell was back in the lead after SS4, the second running of Bigwood, where he excelled once more, taking 5.1s out of Jennings to lead by 3.3s as the latter made some set-up changes. Kelly (third) had an overshoot. The top three order remained unchanged to the finish as Caldwell netted his first victory on tarmac surface. Donegal's Michael Boyle, debuting the Skoda Fabia RS Rally previously campaigned by his father Declan, was fourth with top seed Desi Henry, who switched to a Ford Fiesta Rally2, took a stage win on his way to fifth. Sadly, the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland was curtailed following a tragic accident on Saturday's second stage (SS8) that claimed the life of Welsh co-driver Dai Roberts. The organisers cancelled the remaining stages of the event (Round three of the British Rally Championship) and also the Reivers Rally that was scheduled to take place yesterday (Sunday). The 39 year old co-driver, whose brother Gareth (Jaffa) passed away in an accident at the 2012 Targa Florio Rally in Sicily, was co-driving for fellow Welshman James Williams (Hyundai i20 rally2) when they crashed on the first run of the Edrom stage. Williams was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious but not life-threatening injuries. In motor racing, Offaly's Alex Dunne crashed out of the F2 feature race in Monaco on Sunday morning. Starting in pole position Victor Martins raced into the lead as they headed into Turn 1. As Martins turned the first corner, the front of Dunne's car speared into the side of his Martins' car that resulted in both spinning into the outside barrier. Some nine other drivers were caught in the ensuing pile up and the race was red flagged. Seven drivers including Dunne and Martins were forced to retire. When the race re-started, Jak Crawford took the chequered flag. The event stewards gave Dunne a grid penalty of ten places on qualifying at next week's Spanish Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Cork driver Robert Cronin secured his maiden victory in the Protyre Motorsport Ginetta Championship at Oulton Park on Saturday afternoon. The Ballylickey driver, who started from P2 in his Elite Motorsport run Ginetta was quickly into the lead, edging out polesitter Jack Collins just before the first corner and went on to take the chequered flag as Cronin's team mate Harry Gamble took second place with a brave move on the final lap. Hotel Kilmore Cavan Rally (Round 3 Triton Showers National Rally Championship) Cavan: 1. J. Moffett/A. Hayes (Hyundai i20 R5) 59m.17.0s; 2. S. Moffett/S. Buckley (Hyundai i20 Rally2)+18.2s; 3. K. Eves/C. Melly (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+21.9s; 4. R. Barrable/P. Robinson (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+31.6s; 5. E. Doherty/T. Murphy (Skoda Fabia R5)+51.2s; 6. D. Henry/N. Burns (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 23.9s; 7. R. Loughran/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.5s; 8. P. Barrett/D. Kelly (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 27.6s; 9. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 43.2s; 10. T. Doyle/L. Moynihan (Hyundaii20 Rally2)+1m. 54.9s. Maiden City Rally (Round 3, Brown & Brown Northern Ireland Rally Championship) Derry: 1. R. Caldwell/S. O'Brien (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2) 32m. 26.8s; 2. G. Jennings/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+5.9s; 3. D. Kelly/A. Kierans (VW Polo GTi R5)+15.1s; 4. M. Boyle/D. McCafferty (Skoda Fabia RS Rally2)+16.5s; 5. D. Henry/D. O'Sullivan (Citroen C3 Rally2)+22.0s; 6. N. Devine/L. McIntyre (VW Polo GTi R5)+33.4s; 7. M. Boyle/G. Byrne (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+35.8s; 8. A. Wray/C. McKenna (VW Polo GTi R5)+42.0s; 9. R. Loughran/D. McGettigan (Ford Fiesta R5)+59.4s; 10. J. McGonigle/G. O'Brien (Citroen C3 Rally2)+1m. 19.2s. Jim Clark Rally (Round 3, Probite British Rally Championship) Duns: (Event was stopped after SS8 due to a fatality. 1. M. Evans/D. Furniss (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) 46m. 09.7s; 2. E. Thorburn/P. Beaton (VW Polo GTi R5)+4.0s; 3. C. Black/J. Morton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+51.6s; 4. M. McRae/C. Fair (Citroën C3 Rally2)+1m. 02.3s; 5. G. Pearson/H. McKillop (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 26.6s; 6. S. Touzel/M. Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 34.6s; 7. E. Payne/P. Walsh (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+1m. 52.7s; 8. M. Hirst/D. Dear (Skoda Fabia R5)+1m. 55.3s; 9. D. Robertson/D. Beaton (Ford Fiesta Rally2)+2m. 06.0s; 10. J. Greer/N. Burns (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+2m. 38.3s.
Western Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Western Telegraph
West Wales co-driver Dai Roberts killed and driver James Williams hurt
Dai Roberts, 39, from Carmarthen, was co-driver for James Williams of Newcastle Emlyn in the Jim Clark Rally when their car crashed near Duns in the Scottish Borders. James Williams, 27, was taken to hospital with serious injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening. The pair were in a Hyundai i20N Rally2 as they battled for the lead of the British Rally Championship contest The tragedy is the second to hit the Roberts family. In 2012, Dai Roberts' younger brother Gareth died aged 24 after a racing accident in Palermo, Italy. James Williams Rallying posted on Facebook yesterday: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news this afternoon. 'The motorsport community is deeply saddened to hear 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. James Williams, from Newcastle Emlyn is in hospital with serious injuries., (Image: James Williams Rallying) '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.' More than 500 tributes and messages on the page alone show the respect in which Dai Roberts was held throughout the rallying community. Dai Roberts (left) and James Williams were a formidable motorsport pairing. (Image: Motorsport UK) Said one sympathiser: 'The only comfort is Dai died doing what he loved.' Another commented: 'A wonderful rally man who will be greatly missed', while a third posted: 'He's now up there with his brother and the rest of the legends in rally motorsport." International motorsport platform Autosport described Dai Roberts as 'one of the British rallying fraternity's best co-drivers'. 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. In 2014, the event was stopped 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.' 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.'
