SAM Bilham will continue to rack up the miles this weekend as he prepares for his World Rally Championship debut in November at Wales Rally GB.

The 18-year-old from Bingley is competing in the Eventsigns Woodpecker Stages Rally, based around Ludlow Racecourse, in his familiar Next Big Step-backed Nissan Micra in which he has been campaigning all year.

It is the seventh round of the REIS-Ravenol British Trial and Rally Drivers' Association (BTRDA) Rally Series and the Motor Sports Association (MSA) RSF Young Driver of the Year has had mixed fortunes in the nine-round national gravel series, with sporadic outings due to budget constraints.

But, keen to ensure he is ready for the task ahead, Bilham has kept the entry for the 43-mile Shropshire forestry event and will use it to get as much seat time as possible on the run up to the Wales Rally GB, which is the biggest challenge of his career.

Bilham explained: "Wales Rally GB will, of course, be very different to this weekend's Woodpecker Stages, not only in terms of the event but the car as well.

"Thanks to backing of engineering firm Allfab EMS Ltd, we will contest Rally GB in a Fiesta ST, which is really a million miles away from my Rally First Micra which we will be using today.

"But the more time I get behind the wheel the better, so we have kept the entry for the event."

Bilham will be joined by regular co-driver Graham Wild and is looking forward to the event which saw him win the Rally First title last year.

The teenager said: "It will be quite nice to contest the event without the pressure of a championship to win or points to gain.

"Of course, I won't be there just to make up the numbers but I`ll be able to concentrate more on my driving style and adaptability rather than outright speed, which will be essential for Rally GB."

The capacity 180-car field will tackle 43 stage miles in both England and Wales, with the leading crews returning to Ludlow later this afternoon.