27-05-2025
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.
