Osian Pryce’s successful début in the WRC2 category at the 2016 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB ended early on the final day.
The 2016 Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy-winner, set some impressive times throughout the event and held sixth in class when he retired.
In his first rally in a Ford Fiesta R5, Pryce achieved his aim of keeping pace with the other Fiesta R5 runners over his home stages.
At several times throughout the day he was even quicker than WRC2 winner Esapekka Lappi.
However, any chance of a début top six in WRC evaporated along with his water, when the radiator holed in at SS20.
Despite attempted emergency repairs using chewing gum, the Ford retired at the side of the road in-between the stages.
“Of course it’s disappointing not to finish,” he said. “Dale (Furniss) and I worked on the car and did what we could, but we couldn’t stop the water coming out.
“The hole in the radiator was tiny – it must have been a stone or something which damaged a fin in the radiator. There was no other damage to the front of the car.”
Despite the disappointing end, Pryce was really proud of the speed he demonstrated throughout the event and gave his a lot of confidence.
“We came here to see what we could do against some genuinely world-class competition in the WRC2 category. I’m really proud of the speed Dale and I achieved on our first outing in a class where the other guys have been fighting all season.
“I couldn’t help but think about what we might have achieved without that problem.”
Pryce knows that his performance in Wales puts him is fantastic stead for next season.
As reward for winning the DDFT, he will get two runs in a works DMACK Ford Fiesta R5 in WRC2 in 2017.
“I’m delighted with what we achieved. We have shown we have the speed to fight in WRC2 and that makes me even more determined and excited about next season.”
