By Paul Evans

Stage rally star Osian Pryce contested his first road event last night, finishing sixth overall and third expert in a Ford Escort Mk2 on the Border View Tiles Border 100 Road Rally.

The Welsh Border Car Club organised event contained a 110 mile route on maps 125, 126 and 136, which started from Llanfyllin High School and finished at the rugby club in Meifod.

The event was won by Gary Roberts/Darren Ikin in a Peugeot 205. Lewis Morgan – who was co-driven by Max Freeman, who had come directly from the Rallynuts Stages Rally – finished second in a Ford Escort, while Iwan Jones/Neil Spiers (Ford Escort) were third.

“What an experience,” said Pryce. “First of all thanks to the Border 100 organising team, Dude, Allen, GT and Dale for a brilliant, well put together and challenging rally. I have never had a proper experience of a proper road rally, and this was definitely one!

“I drove all night with a bit left, as I didn’t fancy committing like I usually do on the stages, as it definitely wouldn’t have ended well! That said, I started off better than I expected, but struggled with getting to grips with stopping and starting quickly, but loved that first section. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! I was glad to get to petrol, having re-arranged the panel layout on the front of the Escort.

“The second half of the event suited me a lot more, with less stopping and starting, so I could just drive and enjoy myself even more. I was pleased to set some decent times against quick locals and the regular road rally crews. We got out of it what we wanted, and that was a good laugh along the way. Sixth overall and third expert was a bonus!”