SAM Bilham is aiming to go at least “one better” than his previous results so far this season and break into the top five of tomorrow's Plains Rally, round four of the BTRDA Rally Series.

Despite being new to four-wheel drive machinery this season, Bilham has scored two impressive results behind the wheel of his Greenlight Sport and Entertainment and Swift Group-supported Fiesta R5.

The 22-year-old will now head to Oswestry for the next round of the series and is aiming to grab a career-best result in the Welsh forests.

The Bingley driver has spent much of his rallying career climbing the ladder of progression and a stand-out performance at last year’s Wales Rally GB netted him the drive in the potent Fiesta R5 this season.

While adapting to the new machinery, Bilham endured a tough start to the year, retiring from the opening Cambrian Rally with a holed radiator.

Eager to make the most of his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the R5, Bilham knuckled down on the following two rounds and guided by current British Rally Championship leading co-driver Patrick Walsh, has been able to turn his fortunes around.

A career-defining sixth on the Malcolm Wilson Rally was followed up by the same result at the Rallynuts Stages. He will now head to the Plains Rally with aspirations of bettering that placing.

Bilham said: “I think it’s about time I broke into the top five and went one better than my previous results this season.

“I’ve have had plenty of bad luck this year, especially in the first loop of stages on each event so the plan is to try and keep consistent throughout the day on the Plains.

"Hopefully, if I can have a clean run then a decent result will follow and to me, that’s breaking into the top five.

"I know I have been there or thereabouts pace wise this year, it just all needs to come together now."

The Plains Rally will tackle stages made famous by Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship and Bilham will feel a little more at home in the Dyfnant, Aberhirnant and Llangower Forests.

He added: “I think the stages will suit my driving style more than say last month’s Rallynuts so hopefully it will flow a little easier.

“Of course, I`ll also be looking to Patrick to impart as much knowledge as he can to me as well, there can’t be many people in the UK that have been around these stages as much as him.

"Seriously though, I felt very comfortable on these tests during Wales Rally GB last year so If I can get that feeling back again this weekend then I'm, hoping it will all come together for me.

"The team have been great in finding the right set up for the car, so hopefully, this will be my chance to improve on my result this season."