Osian Pryce is aiming to sign off his Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy-winning season in style at this week’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB – Britain’s biggest motorsport event of the season.
With the World Rally Championship in Wales, Machynlleth-born Pryce and co-driver Dale Furniss have stepped up a category and will tackle the Deeside-based event in a Ford Fiesta R5.
Pryce, who celebrated winning one of the WRC’s most prestigious and valuable feeder series in Spain last week, explained the difference between the two cars.
“They’re both Fiestas, so they look fairly similar,” he said. “But the car we’ve been driving all year is a two-wheel drive turbocharged one-litre car.
“The car for this week is a much more focused machine with four-wheel drive and a lot, lot more power.
“What we’ve got for our home round of the world championship is the real deal. It’s a car very similar to the one we used on Rally GB two years ago.”
Two years ago, Pryce made his competitive debut in a four-wheel drive car and was an instant hit – setting times good enough to place him second in WRC2.
WRC2 is one step down from the main world championship field.
“I was pleased with how that event went two years ago,” he said. “But the main thing for us this week is to gain experience of this Fiesta R5.
“This is the car we will be using on two overseas rounds of the WRC next year, so it’s really important we get through the stages and get as much seat time as possible.
“A win would really be a step too far this time. This is one of the most competitive WRC2 fields I’ve seen in ages.
“Dare I think about a top three? Maybe that’s realistic, but, like I say, it’s about the experience we can take.
“We need to see how we measure up against the other Fiestas, that’ll give us something to think about over the winter months and some idea of what sort of pace we need for next year.”
After a pressure-filled season, Pryce is looking forward to coming home and competing in forests he knows and loves.
He added: “We’ve been to some amazing places this year, places that are really hot, lovely and sunny and all that.
“But, I’ll be honest, there’s no place like home. When I was going off to work this morning, the sun was just coming up on a crisp autumn day and I thought: “This is it, this is the time for Rally GB.”
“I can’t wait to get in the car and get on with it. It’s such a special feeling to be competing at home, surrounded by so many family and friends. It’s fantastic. And to be doing it with the championship won and the pressure gone is just such a bonus.”
Despite winning his WRC-based title in Spain, Pryce was straight back to work this week.
“I haven’t had a minute to think about winning the championship,” he said.
““It was literally straight back into work as soon as we landed and then we had a few hassles getting the money sorted for Rally GB, so I was on the phone trying to get all of those problems solved. We’re there now though.
“Like all of our rallying, it’s been very much a hand-to-mouth kind of deal, but that’s the way it has to be for us.
“Getting on the phone chasing sponsorship is what keeps us on the road, so I’m only too happy to do that. I can’t thank everybody enough for the help this season in achieving our dream
“Let’s just hope we can pay them back with another great result at home next week.”