By Paul Evans

Osian Pryce made a stunning historic rally debut on the 2WD Rally North Wales by finishing fourth first time out in a 1978 Escort Mk2 – with only a rear puncture robbing the 25-year old Machynlleth-born driver of a second place finish. In addition to his impressive MSA British Historic Rally Championship debut, Pryce also finished third overall (second 2WD) in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship standings to maintain his overall lead in the series.

Co-driven by Dale Furniss, Osian had won Rally North Wales last year and was keen to tackle his local rally again – but this time by fulfilling a boyhood dream of contesting a rally in an iconic Escort Mk2. A brief test at the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex the day before was all Osian had before starting the 45 stage mile event, which was played out over the fast, smooth and slippery Dyfi, Big Ray and Gartheiniog gravel tests.

Pryce was quickly into his stride, setting fourth fastest time on SS1, equalling event favourite Nick Elliott’s time on SS2 and completing SS3 in second position – just 13 seconds behind the experienced Elliott.

The 106 cars that had started the Dolgellau-based event had polished the gravel roads and made them even more slippery for the afternoon’s repeat run of three stages, and in almost perfect Spring-like weather conditions Osian was getting faster and faster with every mile he completed. Unfortunately, a rear left puncture early in SS4 cost him a minute, and the time lost dropped him from second to fifth. Undeterred, and now with three narrow front tyres and one wider rear tyre on the car, he set fifth fastest time on SS5 and started the final stage 17 seconds behind the similar Escort of Steve Bennett – and ended it 10 seconds in front, to record an excellent fourth place finish on his first ever event in a rear-wheel drive car.

Having already scored maximum points on the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Rally Championship, the Cambrian Rally, in a Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage R5, third place on Rally North Wales in an Escort Mk2 sees Osian maintain his lead in the series.

“I’ve had a great day,” said Pryce. “We had a rear left puncture on stage four, which we drove on for most of the stage and dropped a full minute, because as we were crossing the flying finish Nick Elliott was right behind us. We were only carrying one front tyre as a spare, and the front tyres are narrower than the rear tyres are, so we had to do the final two stages with three narrow tyres and a wider tyre on. It didn’t affect us too much, but we did lose a little bit of traction and it might well have contributed to a few small mistakes that reflected in the final two stage times. But that’s rallying, and if we got it all together and had a bit more time in the car then we could easily be pushing for a win, and without the puncture we’d have finished a comfortable second.

“Nick Elliott was obviously the man to beat, and he’s probably the man to beat in this year’s MSA British Historic Rally Championship, but I think he was a little bit worried after three stages when we’d equalled his time on one of them and were right on his tail. The pressure was off him when we had the puncture, but it’s still a very promising result for us. I’ve loved every minute driving the Escort Mk2 and I’ve learnt a lot.

“Rally North Wales was going to be a one-off event in a Mk2 Escort, but I’ve enjoyed it so much that I’m very tempted to do another event! We’ve had a great day out and not for a crazy amount of money compared to rallying an R5 car. WRC2 is where I’m aiming to be, but all my family have been out watching and had a lot of fun, Dale and I have had a good laugh in the car, and that’s what rallying days like these are all about. It’s impossible to enjoy yourself this much in a rally car and not want to do it again! It’s given me a lot to think about.”

The 4WD Rally North Wales was won by Dylan Davies/Llion Williams in their Subaru Impreza. “An awesome day at Rally North Wales – six stages, six fastest times and the win by nearly two minutes,” said the Llanon driver. “No problems all day with a perfect car.”