Please credit image to: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Sam Bilham added a creditable sixth place overall in the hotly-contested Rally First category as he impressed at the Rainworth Skoda Forest Rally, the fifth round of the BTRDA National Rally Championship.

The Bingley-based driver was the only entrant in the smaller RF1.0 category but punched well above his weight and battled with the more powerful 1400cc cars throughout the action-packed day at Sherwood Forest.

Co-driven by Graham Wild, 17-year-old Bilham was behind the wheel of his usual Nissan Micra for the ten-stage event, based around Southwell Racecourse near Mansfield.

?The Rally First 1.0 category is my main aim this year and of course we knew that we only needed a finish to gain maximum points on this round,? he said.

?But it was great to see we were putting in some stage times that were comparable with the higher-powered 1400cc competitors, which was encouraging.

"It?s a long season and I have to keep reminding myself that it?s only my fifth-ever event on gravel.

"I know I still have so much more to learn but it?s encouraging to be so consistent on all the events this year.?

Bilham has extended his lead in the RF1.0 class and is closing in on a podium position in the Rally First category overall with fourth position on the leader board.