BINGLEY'S Sam Bilham is pinching himself after landing his biggest drive of all.

The 18-year-old will compete in the Wales Rally GB – the final round of the World Rally Championship – from November 12-15.

Bilham, named the Motor Sports Association's RSF Young Driver of the Year in 2014, will be in a Ford Fiesta ST in the principality, having piloted a Nissan Micra in the British Trial and Rally Drivers' Association (BTRDA) gravel series for the last two years.

Thanks to the backing of engineering firm Allfab EMS Ltd from Leeds, Bilham will use the M-Sport built machine for his international debut.

Over 180 competitive miles lies in wait for the teenager, who, after competing in the BTRDA Woodpecker Stages event next month in his familiar Micra, will now spend the remainder of the season getting used to his newly-acquired Ford Fiesta.

Bilham said: “After winning the MSA RSF Young Driver of the Year Award last year, I sadly haven’t been able to compete as much as I’d hoped due to budget constraints.

"But we have been working hard behind the scenes and I am truly indebted to Allfab EMS Ltd for putting their trust in me to use their car for perhaps one of the best-known rallies in the world.

"I have to pinch myself at the thought of contesting the event I could only ever dream of a few months ago – I can’t thank them enough”.

Bilham has also gained the support of Yorkshire Flocking Services, who will support him throughout his pre-event tests and the event itself.

He is hoping to secure a few more backers before he lines up at the Toyota plant in Deeside in November.

Bilham added: “We are going to be there no matter what, and I`m totally focusing on the task ahead.

"There is a long way to go but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. I have a lot of hurdles to overcome, such as pre-event recce, which I’ve never done before, and the car is left-hand drive, which should make things interesting!

"So many people have supported me along my career and it’s only I right I do them proud in Wales."

He also believes that winning the Next Big Step award back in 2013 has been key to his progress.

"The Next Big Step and Ian Arden have supported me all the way and have been instrumental in each decision I have made.

"It’s thanks to the award that we have this opportunity and it will be fantastic to have them alongside us during the event too."

After two days of pre-event reconnaissance, a shakedown is followed by the ceremonial start along Llandudno promenade before three full days of action across North and mid-Wales.