OSIAN Pryce was in a class of his own on the Rally North Wales National A event, setting the fastest time on all eight stages to win his home event by 37 seconds in his RallyXtreme-prepared BDA-engined Ford Escort Mk2 last weekend.

Pryce and co-driver Dale Furniss dominated the section, which catered primarily for the contenders in the Fuchs Lubricants British Historic Rally Championship, setting fastest times on each of the eight stages in their Ford Escort MK2.

The duo scribed their name on the trophy for the second time, having won in 2017 behind the wheel of a Fiesta R5.

The chasing pack were led by Nick Elliott and Dave Price, with Herefordshire’s Joe Price and Chris Brooks rounding off the top three, all in Escort MK2’s.

“It’s an awesome feeling to have your name on the trophy again” said Pryce.

“I remember the first time, it was pretty special here, but when you have more competition, you have to give it our all. We were up against the best in Historic rallying, and we beat them, so it’s very satisfying. This was a great win though. You come to the end of the stages and you don’t really care how you have done, its just all smiles in a Ford Escort.”

Matthew Hirst enjoyed his maiden rally win in the National B category after a top three placing last year, with Declan Dear on the notes. Driving his Mitsubishi Evo IX in the National B section, Hirst overcame a late charge from Scotsman Freddie Milne, with Patrick Walsh alongside in their similar machine, and rapid Ford Escort driver Ieuan Rowlands with co-driver Emyr Hall to take victory.

The Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club organised event had attracted yet another full entry to the popular rally, held in the classic forest complex of Dyfi and Gartheiniog.

Just over 44 stage miles spread across eight tests were on offer for crews from across the UK, and it was a qualifying round of the British Historic Rally, Pirelli Welsh Rally and ANWCC Forest Rally Championships. It would also play host to the David Stokes Historic Challenge.

Despite the Pryce family home nestling almost in the heart of the stages, victory was never guaranteed, and having not been in a rear wheel drive machine since September, it would take a while for them to get used to the gravel once again.

There was no sign of any bedding in for the Dolgellau man. Setting fastest time on the opening four stages, Pryce would find his feet quickly and despite a late drama when the car stuck in gear in the mid-event service, he continued after lunch to dominate the timesheets and secure another Rally North Wales win.

The battle for the final podium was a little closer between Elliott and Price, but it didn’t change all event long with the honours and maximum British Historic Championship points going to Elliott.

An equally fastest time on the final test with Pryce showed intent, but wouldn’t be enough to overhaul the leader.

Stanley Orr and Grahame Henderson were “surprised” to finish fourth in their Category 2 Ford Escort Mk1, with Simon Webster and Jez Rogers overcoming a last-minute drama to secure the fifth spot.

The four-wheel-drive heavy hitters were the mainstay of the National B section and Hirst was challenged all the way by Milne and Rowlands. Milne would make the trip from Scotland and fought hard during the morning loop, closing the gap from eight seconds to four.

He couldn’t match Hirst in the afternoon, however, and settled for second.

Ffestiniog-based Rowlands bedded in perfectly to his Ford Escort and set some stunning times against more powerful machinery in the dry and dusty conditions. But he couldn’t make up the morning’s deficit and ended the day third.

Marty McKenna and Martin Brady brought their Ford Fiesta WRC over from Ireland and they finished fourth, whilst Harry Gardener and Elliott Grahams Subaru Impreza rounded out the top five.