British Rally Championship regular Osian Pryce completed a successful shakedown of his Ford Fiesta R5 ahead of the upcoming Wales Rally GB with 30 miles of testing in Alwen forest.
Pryce and co-driver Dale Furniss spend the day working on the set-up of their Ford Fiesta R5, this is the first time that the pair have driven an all-wheel-drive car in anger and Pryce was happy with how the M-Sport built car handled.
“I had an idea of what to expect from this car and the reality lived up to and beyond those expectations – it was awesome!” said Pryce. “I hadn’t driven the car before today, not even turned a wheel in it. On the road along to the stage it felt nice, but once we got into the test road, it was fantastic. I felt at home straight away.
“After three runs, I came back to service and CA1 Sport softened off the rear suspension, just to give us some more grip at the back of the car. We then softened the front as well to give us some more grip off the line, but that was it.
“Honestly, after around 30 miles of driving, I felt comfortable and completely at home in the car. I love it and I want the rally to start now!
The ceremonial start of the Wales GB rally will commence Thursday evening, Pryce heads in to the rally in a positive mood, looking to show what he is capable of.
“The test road was really good. We were just down the road from where some of the stages will be running during the event, so it couldn’t get more representative. Today’s been the perfect day and the aim is to continue this run into the event itself. I’ve said it before, but my sponsors THORUtilities, Red Kite (Manufacturing), Swift Group, G&M Pryce, Morris Plant Hire, S. J. & S. Williams Ltd and DMACK have given me this opportunity and I’m not going to waste it this week.”