2008 Season
The 2008 season would give James some of his most exciting rallies to date. Joining up with the new Revolution Wheels Rally Team, James and Co-driver Chris Ridge would pilot a Geoff Jones Motorsport prepared Subaru Impreza N11.
With extra backing from Competiton Car Insurance and Red Rock Wear, James drove a 4-wheel drive car in competition for the very first time on the North Humberside Stages using this rally as a test event before the British Rally Championship. James soon took to his new mount taking 2nd in class and 4th overall.
The Pirelli Rally was a good start for James and Chris, with their confidence building every stage they were very soon on the pace of much more experienced driver. Only slowed by a puncture on the final day that cost 2 minutes, the season opener was a great event for the Ludlow based crew.
The first tarmac rally of the season was the Jim Clark rally. Through Leg 1 James set some incredible times that would see him lying 4th overall in the BRC. Leg 2 James tried to make a move on the podium but with some silly spins and heavy landings over big jumps that would not be possible.
The Rally Isle of Man hosted the 3rd round of the championship. This would be James' best rally of the season, not just because he finished the notoriously difficult event but because he set times the same as local driver and British Champion David Higgins in a newer car. Without any mistakes and continually putting in fast stage times James was really getting to grips with the tarmac. For his fantastic drive James was voted 'Driver of the Rally' an award previously given to 2 of his hero's Ari Vatanen and Colin McRae.
With confidence high the Ulster Rally would be a chance to test James' speed not just against BRC competitors but the drivers in the highly competitive Mitsubishi Evo Championship. With a good first stage out of the way James was building his speed but unfortunately mid way through the stage the Subaru crew got caught out by high speed bump resulting in an accident where the car rolled several times. After both driver and co-driver taken to hospital for checks it seemed the only damage was to the car. A video of this accident can be seen in the Gallery.
As James' car was not repaired in time for the Rally of Yorkshire James used one of preparation experts Geoff Jones' cars. James put in a fine performance to finish 4th in BRC especially after trying to drive with the previous rally in mind.
After the cost to repair the Subaru there would not be enough budget left to finish the season and so James would not be able to compete in Wales Rally GB. This dropped James down to 6th in the British Championship which was still an amazing result for a young driver in his rookie 4-wheel drive season.
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