Magical maiden Cambrian Rally victory maintains Osian Pryce’s BRC lead as title fight goes down to the wire

Osian Pryce won the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally for the first time in his Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to maintain his lead in the British Rally Championship with just one round remaining.

The result also continues his incredible record of finishing on the BRC podium in every round so far this year, with his success tally now standing at two maximum points scores (including his bonus Joker win on the Mull Rally), second on the Grampian Rally and Trackrod Rally Yorkshire and third on both the Neil Howard and Nicky Grist Stages.

Miraculous emergency repairs on home Cambrian Rally keeps Matt Edwards’ BRC title hopes intact

Matt Edwards has strengthened his challenge for the 2021 British Rally Championship drivers’ title after making a miraculous emergency repair to his Yuasa Rally Team Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 and turning a potentially title ending situation into a crucial points-scoring finish on his home Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally.

Heavy rain had made the North Wales forests extremely wet and slippery, but despite a relatively good run through the opening Gwydir stage Matt found himself in second place, 10.4 seconds behind his Melvyn Evans Motorsport stablemate and title rival Osian Pryce.

Cambrian Rally

It was crunch time in both the BRC and BTRDA championships and the Cambrian could prove decisive. Osian Pryce & Noel O’Sullivan (Polo R5) were out of the blocks fast, taking the battle to local crew Matt Edwards & Darren Garrod (Polo R5). It proved to be a good tactic as on stage 4 Edwards went off and recovered with a damaged car that he woiuld have to limp through to the finish. Pryce took maximum points and the victory by over a minute. Garry Pearson & Niall Burns (Fabia R5) were 2nd, taking the National section of the rally, with Callum Black & Jack Morton (Fiesta R5) completing the podium.

Entries available for 2021 Roger Albert Clark Rally

A small number of places may be available on the final entry list for the 2021 Roger Albert Clark Rally (25-29 November).

Most of the original group of reserves have now moved up to the confirmed entry list and the event organisers have revealed that there may ultimately be space for a limited number of additional entries. The aim is to have a capacity field of 150 cars at the start in Carlisle on the afternoon of Thursday 25 November.

Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke complete Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship hat-trick with third title win on the Cheviot

Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke have won the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship for a third time in a row after an incredibly tense and exciting finale on the Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally (Sunday 24 October).

Roger Albert Clark Rally delivers multi-million pound boost

With exactly one month to go before the start of the 2021 Roger Albert Clark Rally (25-29 November), the organisers have revealed that the event will deliver a multi-million pound boost to UK rallying and the regions visited by the five-day event.

An economic benefit study has been completed and the results show just how much of a boost the rally brings to the sport and to host towns and regions, notably Carlisle and Welshpool.

Bird conquers Otterburn to win Cheviot Rally

Cumbrian driver Frank Bird was back in rally action this weekend where he once again took on some of the best drivers in the country as he swept to victory on the Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally.

Utilising the sealed roads of the Otterburn military range in Northumberland and comprising the final round of the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship, the 22-year-old from Penrith led from start to finish to emerge over half a minute clear of his nearest rival after 60 miles of stages.

Cheviot Stages Rally

With the title going down the wire it was Jason Pritchard & Phil Clarke (Focus WRC) who came up victorious, taking a 3rd consecutive Protyre Asphalt Rally title. They had a big scare with an off on the 3rd stage of the first loop of stages, but once their main opposition, Mark Kelly & Neil Colman (Fiesta R5) retired after stage 6, then they just had to bring it home. Frank Bird & Jack Morton (Fiesta Rally2) took a dominant win by 31s from Gordon Morrison & Hannah Davison (Fiesta R5). Pritchard came home 3rd to take the title just ahead of Neil Roskell & John Cope (Fiesta R5) in 4th, with John Stone & Tom Woodburn (Polo R5) rounding out the top 5.

Three Shires 2022

Cheltenham Motor Club can confirm that next year’s rally is planned for September 18th, 2022.

There will be a few changes to ensure the continued successful running of this popular event with competitors, spectators and marshals. The event is moving back a few weeks to September 18th which avoids clashes with the Woodpecker and Rali Bae Ceredigion Closed Road Rally, so attracting more competitors, officials and marshals. Currently there are no other major rallies scheduled this weekend.

Friend takes long-awaited British Historic Rally Championship title

Ben Friend and co-driver Cliffy Simmons became 2021 Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Champions at the weekend with a stellar performance at the final round of the season, the Carlisle Stages Rally [23 October].

The duo performed faultlessly in their Ford Escort MK2 to tame the notorious stages in and around the Kielder Forest complex, to grab the lead from 2019 BHRC champions Simon Webster and Jez Rogers on the third test. They would never be headed over the remaining three stages to secure a maiden championship title in fine style.