STOURBRIDGE'S Richard Sykes will start what promises to be a busy season when he competes in the Cambrian Rally in North Wales this weekend.

Sykes has announced plans to contest both the national BTRDA rally championship and the new “Rally2” series which is for two-wheel drive cars only.

He will use his usual Citroën DS3 R3 throughout the year, which is again supported by Bathams Brewery, The Body Clinic, Staniland Marina, Summit Platforms and G I Sykes Ltd.

After ending his 2017 season in style by finishing first of the two-wheel drive cars on the Wales Rally GB National event, Sykes has high hopes of getting his 2018 campaign off to a good start.

“My main goal this year is to try and win the BTRDA Silver Star championship,” he said.

“The Cambrian is the first round of that so it’s important that we come away with a good haul of points.

“It’s usually a tough event with some very slippery stages and there’s a chance that there might be snow on parts of the course so it’ll be a challenge to get to the end.

“I’ll have my trusty sidekick Simon Taylor in the co-driver’s seat again and we’re both hoping for a successful season.”

The rally is based in Llandudno and features a very popular ceremonial start and finish in the town. The competitive action will take place over 45 miles of forest tracks including stages in Penmachno and Alwen forest.