BINGLEY'S Sam Bilham has won the British Trial and Rally Drivers' Association (BTRDA) RallyFirst 1.0 title in his first year of gravel racing.

The junior rally ace clinched the crown by triumphing in the Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally – the seventh of the nine rounds – near Ludlow.

Driving his Nissan Micra, alongside co-driver Graham Wild, the duo won by two minutes after 44 miles of damp forest roads in Shropshire and Powys.

Bilham said: "It's been a fantastic year so far and to win the class title with two rounds to go is a dream come true.

"It is a steep learning curve to jump straight into a full championship on gravel but I've really been able to grab it with both hands and pretty much dominate all year long."

Now Bilham is chasing the overall BTRDA junior and RallyFirst titles. He is currently second in both championships.