Impressive podium finishes in the Malcolm Wilson and Pirelli National Events led to a personal request by BRC champion David Higgins for James to join the leading Chinese Wan Yu Rally Team. Tight scheduling meant that James had to choose either the last round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy or to make his debut into China.
The opportunity to compete in a four wheel drive Evo 9 on foreign soil was enough to entice James away from his chance of a Championship podium finish. Despite this, previous solid results throughout the season managed to secure him a 4th place championship finish.
The Longyou rally, part of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) is held 400km away from Shanghai, the largest city in China. The event kicked off with a head to head short super SS. James made an impressive start, easily out driving his counterpart when disaster struck on the final corner. The front and rear left tyres slipped down the edge of the embankment towards the river, and due to advertising banners spanning the mud wall James was unable to find the grip to pull the car back up to the road. When nothing else could be done to get the car onto the road, James climbed out and bowed to the eagerly awaiting 2000 spectators perched on the bleachers and another 13 million viewers on live Chinese TV!
After several hours of waiting, the car was finally towed back to service with minimal damage ready to compete in the morning. James was back to winning ways the following day, despite the remainder of the stages involving tight and twisty muddy dirt tracks snaking up the terrifyingly high mountain edges. After two days of tricky terrain and bad weather James surpassed all expectations and finished first Brit and 10th overall, in an event comprising over 100 competitors.
Speaking after the event James remarked that he had had a “fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the stages and competition. The car was amazing to drive and the team did an unbelievable job at service, working all hours to ensure the car was ready after the off on the first stage.”
