Having claimed third-place in the 2014 MSA British Rally Championship Challenge Trophy despite missing the final round in the Isle of Man earlier in September, Ammanford rally co-driver Claire Williams returned to rally action in the BTRDA Championship.

For the third time this year, the 25-year-old teamed up with her partner and Warwick-based driver Matthew Jackson in his Super 1000 specification Nissan Micra for the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire.

Despite Williams’ BRC championship having finished only weeks earlier, there was still all to play for in aiding Jackson to bag the nine points required to secure a championship win in his class on the penultimate round of the BTRDA Championship.

“Although Matthew has competed on this rally in the past, it will be a very difficult rally for us both as I need to get him to the finish to ensure he takes class honours,” said Williams prior to the race.

“He deserves it given his results and the pace he’s produced throughout the year.”

Unfortunately, an over cautious start in the first stage saw the pair hold second place in their class heading into the first service, 20 seconds adrift of the class leader and outside the top 10 1400cc overall.

After a brief pep talk from Williams and the team, they continued onto the next two stages with the aim of increasing the pace while maintaining a slightly less cautious approach.

However the fast, high speed straight sections on these stages made any attempt to close in on competitors in the more powerful machinery difficult and after 27 competitive miles they had 20 seconds deficit to make up to the class leader and remained 12th in the overall 1400cc standings.

Nevertheless, the pair still remained in the rally and Jackson well within sight of his championship class win and with the remaining two stages more suited to Jacksons driving style, they were successful in breaking into the top 10 overall positions having produced some impressive stage times.

Despite a potentially costly mishap only a couple of miles from the end, a mature and focused performance from both crew members saw them cross the finish line 8th overall in the 1400cc section and a 2nd place in class saw Jackson seal up his BTRDA class victory.

“I’ve never been so happy to get to the end of a rally. There were no championship aspirations in this rally for me but to feel like I have helped Matthew fulfil his ambitions makes me very proud,” said an elated Williams.

“I know how much this means to him especially as he’s been at a disadvantage power wise all year.”

With other results having gone in his favour in Yorkshire, the potential is now there for Jackson to take the coveted BTRDA Morris Lubricants 1400cc Drivers Championship in a 1000cc car should results continue to go his way on the final round, The Cambrian Rally in October.