BINGLEY rally driver Sam Bilham has had the perfect end to his season after winning the 2300 Club John Easson Award.

This provides the 20-year-old with £5,000 – a massive boost – towards his 2017 rallying campaign.

The Ford Fiesta driver enjoyed a fruitful 2016, becoming the Maxxis MSA English Rally champion and was runner-up in the Fiesta ST Trophy after leading the series for much of the year.

His 100 per cent finishing record and impressive pace as the season progressed did not go unnoticed by the judging panel.

They comprised well-known co-driver Ian Grindrod, journalist Jack Benyon, rally driver John Cope and 2015 Award winner Matthew Jackson.

The panel singled out Bilham from the three finalists after his success in the British Trial and Rally Drivers' Association (BTRDA) Rally series and his determination to further his motor sport career in the future.

First run in 2004, the award is named after rally driver John Easson, who was an avid supporter of the 2300 Car Club before losing his life in an air accident in 1999.

With that £5,000 up for grabs for the winner, the award is the most sought after in the rallying community.

After winning The Next Big Step in 2013, Bilham is delighted with his latest award and cited the John Easson title as a significant step in his career.

"It's a true honour to add my name to the extensive and impressive list of drivers who have won the award in the past," he said.

"The financial assistance offered is second to none and this is a huge boost to my plans for 2017.

"We have enjoyed a great season in the BTRDA and Fiesta ST Trophy but this will allow us to expand on our success this year. I really hope to do the panel of judges and the award proud next season."

Bilham has been a finalist for three years in succession but, after being runner-up since 2014, was determined to make the grade on his third attempt.

He said: "It's the best prize in rallying, so I just had to go for it again. Having another year under my belt helped and this is the biggest opportunity I've had to progress.

"Ever since my Junior Rally Championship days, I've wanted to make sure we did what was best for my career and this will make all the difference.

"To be honest, it really hasn't quite sunk in yet and when you consider the previous winners of the award, I really am in great company."

Previous winners include World Rally Championship driver Osian Pryce and European contender Chris Ingram.

Bilham is currently exploring options for 2017 and his plans will be announced in the coming months.

* Bilham is supported by Reis Motorsport Insurance, Mechanical Solutions, Pertemps Recruitment, The Next Big Step, Gareth Hooper Motorsport Services, Calvert Construction and The Garage at Stanley Mills.