Latest news with #JimClarkMemorialMotorClub
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.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Simultaneous rescues for Tenby lifeboats after paddleboarders blown out to sea
Dai Roberts, 39, was killed during Saturday's race near Duns in the Scottish Borders A CO-DRIVER from Carmarthen has tragically died following a crash during the Jim Clark rally in Scotland. Dai Roberts, aged 39, was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday (May 24) after the vehicle he was in left the road during a stage near Duns in the Scottish Borders. The driver, 27-year-old James Williams, was seriously injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening. Roberts was an experienced figure in the world of rallying. In 2014, he survived a crash during the Ulster Rally in Belfast which claimed the life of his then-driver, Timothy Cathcart, who was 20. Two years earlier, his younger brother Gareth, also a rally co-driver, was killed in an accident during a race in Palermo, Italy. He was 24. This weekend's Jim Clark rally and Sunday's Reivers rally were both cancelled following the incident. The event, named after the late Formula One world champion Jim Clark, is a popular annual fixture that draws competitors from across the UK. Around 260 participants were due to take part over the weekend. A statement from the event organisers, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club, confirmed the fatal incident and said support was being provided to those affected. James Williams Rallying also issued a heartfelt tribute: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news. The motorsport community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time.' 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, the governing body for the sport, said it had launched a full investigation and would work closely with organisers and relevant authorities. The Jim Clark rally has a long history but has also been marred by tragedy in the past. In 2014, three spectators were killed and six others injured when two cars veered off the course. The event was suspended and only resumed five years later, in 2019, following significant safety reforms. The rally forms part of several championships, including the Probite British Rally Championship, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship, and the Protyre National Asphalt Championship.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh music venues set to benefit from £500k capital fund
Dai Roberts, 39, was killed during Saturday's race near Duns in the Scottish Borders A CO-DRIVER from Carmarthen has tragically died following a crash during the Jim Clark rally in Scotland. Dai Roberts, aged 39, was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday (May 24) after the vehicle he was in left the road during a stage near Duns in the Scottish Borders. The driver, 27-year-old James Williams, was seriously injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening. Roberts was an experienced figure in the world of rallying. In 2014, he survived a crash during the Ulster Rally in Belfast which claimed the life of his then-driver, Timothy Cathcart, who was 20. Two years earlier, his younger brother Gareth, also a rally co-driver, was killed in an accident during a race in Palermo, Italy. He was 24. This weekend's Jim Clark rally and Sunday's Reivers rally were both cancelled following the incident. The event, named after the late Formula One world champion Jim Clark, is a popular annual fixture that draws competitors from across the UK. Around 260 participants were due to take part over the weekend. A statement from the event organisers, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club, confirmed the fatal incident and said support was being provided to those affected. James Williams Rallying also issued a heartfelt tribute: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news. The motorsport community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time.' 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, the governing body for the sport, said it had launched a full investigation and would work closely with organisers and relevant authorities. The Jim Clark rally has a long history but has also been marred by tragedy in the past. In 2014, three spectators were killed and six others injured when two cars veered off the course. The event was suspended and only resumed five years later, in 2019, following significant safety reforms. The rally forms part of several championships, including the Probite British Rally Championship, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship, and the Protyre National Asphalt Championship.
Pembrokeshire Herald
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Carmarthen co-driver dies in Jim Clark rally crash
Dai Roberts, 39, was killed during Saturday's race near Duns in the Scottish Borders A CO-DRIVER from Carmarthen has tragically died following a crash during the Jim Clark rally in Scotland. Dai Roberts, aged 39, was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday (May 24) after the vehicle he was in left the road during a stage near Duns in the Scottish Borders. The driver, 27-year-old James Williams, was seriously injured and taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. His injuries are described as serious but not life-threatening. Roberts was an experienced figure in the world of rallying. In 2014, he survived a crash during the Ulster Rally in Belfast which claimed the life of his then-driver, Timothy Cathcart, who was 20. Two years earlier, his younger brother Gareth, also a rally co-driver, was killed in an accident during a race in Palermo, Italy. He was 24. This weekend's Jim Clark rally and Sunday's Reivers rally were both cancelled following the incident. The event, named after the late Formula One world champion Jim Clark, is a popular annual fixture that draws competitors from across the UK. Around 260 participants were due to take part over the weekend. A statement from the event organisers, the Jim Clark Memorial Motor Club, confirmed the fatal incident and said support was being provided to those affected. James Williams Rallying also issued a heartfelt tribute: 'It is with a heavy heart we have to share this sad news. The motorsport community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Dai Roberts. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Roberts family at this difficult time.' 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, the governing body for the sport, said it had launched a full investigation and would work closely with organisers and relevant authorities. The Jim Clark rally has a long history but has also been marred by tragedy in the past. In 2014, three spectators were killed and six others injured when two cars veered off the course. The event was suspended and only resumed five years later, in 2019, following significant safety reforms. The rally forms part of several championships, including the Probite British Rally Championship, the Asset Alliance Group Scottish Rally Championship, and the Protyre National Asphalt Championship.
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.'
