A Newcastle Emlyn driver sealed victory on the Isle of Man.

James Williams, of the Orange Amps team, dominated the Manx Rally last weekend (May 10/11), claiming his first-ever outright rally win.

Guided by co-driver Ross Whittock, the pair produced a stellar performance in their Hyundai i20 Rally2, finishing the competition a comfortable four minutes ahead of their closest competitor.

The setting was the beautiful Isle of Man, host to the second and third rounds of the Protyre Motorsport UK National Asphalt Rally Championship.

For the team, the picturesque location and the journey across the Irish Sea held a triple allure: extend the Championship lead, rack up vital Tarmac mileage before the British Rally Championship's next round, and strive for that elusive first complete event win.

Under a sunny sky, 26-year-old Williams and Whittock started confidently from the TT Grandstand in Douglas.

The vehicle, number two, sped out of the gate, clinching victories in the first four stages and securing a 48.3-second lead.

As the sun faded, the turbo-charged, four-wheel-drive Hyundai pushed forward, extending the advantage to 1m18 seconds at the end of the first day and getting maximum points for Round 2.

The second day saw Williams maintain this momentum.

Aptly dubbed the 'Welsh Wizard', he extended his lead at every stage, setting the fastest time in three additional stages on Saturday, and securing victory for the team by over four minutes.

Williams expressed his joy, saying: "I am over the moon, pretty speechless if I am honest.

"We were really looking forward to this rally with no real pressure and we just loved every mile of this rally.

"Ross and the whole team did a phenomenal job all weekend and without all my sponsors, backers, parents and family believing in me – this wouldn’t have been possible."

He continued saying: "I wanted to get that first win monkey off my back as it had been there for a while and I am delighted to do it on the Isle of Man – such an iconic motorsport location.

"It still feels strange - but I love that feeling and I really want to repeat it very soon!

"I am delighted to also extend my lead in the Asphalt Championship and that’s now three wins on the bounce.

"I hope to make it four next time out."

Next up for Williams and Whittock, representing the Orange Amps Rally Team, is the British Rally Championship's next event.

The aim is to take their winning form up to Scotland to vie for a podium finish.

Their subsequent challenge will be the Jim Clark Rally, wrapping up the month as the third round of the Probite British Rally Championship and round four of the National Asphalt Championship.