No place like home for Welsh rally star Osian Pryce 27.10.2016: A Wales Rally GB dream two months in the making began for Osian Pryce in Colwyn Bay this evening (Thursday).

A Wales Rally GB dream two months in the making began for Osian Pryce in Colwyn Bay this evening (Thursday).
 



Just 11 days after celebrating victory in the prestigious WRC-based Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy at the Rally of Spain, Brecon-based Pryce is stepping up to his toughest sporting assignment yet.
 

Osian and co-driver Dale Furniss will go head-to-head with the fastest drivers from around the world as Wales Rally GB thunders through the woods of north and mid-Wales. The Welsh pair will be chasing WRC2 glory to round off what’s already been an exceptional season on the world stage.
 

WRC2 is the main feeder category to the World Rally Championship itself and the Ford Fiesta R5 has almost twice the power Osian’s been used to in the DDFT series. On top of that, Osian will enjoy total traction from the R5’s state-of-the-art four-wheel drive system.
 

“There’s no doubt, this car’s a real step up,” said Osian. “The acceleration off the line and out of the slower corners is just unbelievable. It’s an amazing piece of kit.”
 

Osian drove a Fiesta R5 on this event two years ago, but this is the first time he’s registered for WRC2.
 


“It’s a big deal to take on the drivers in WRC2,” he said. “A lot of the guys who have been in there all season are moving up to the main WRC next year. This is where it’s at for aspiring drivers in the world championship, so it’s a real honour and privilege to be here.
 


“And, I don’t mind a bit of a relief to be here; the day after we flew home from winning the championship in Barcelona, we lost a sponsor and it looked like our Wales Rally GB dream was over.



I got straight on the phone and worked non-stop to find some more funding to keep us on the road. Having got this far, nothing was going to stop me! And now we’re here, it’s amazing. I can’t wait to get started.”
 

Osian completed this morning’s shakedown test in Clocaenog forest, close to Ruthin. With his final preparations complete, it was over to Colwyn Bay for the ceremonial start at a packed Parc Eirias.
 

Tomorrow starts well before dawn with the journey south for a day of stages around Newtown.
 

“We got a fantastic reception at the start,” said Osian. “Being one of the top Welsh runners, the crowd really got behind us and that means a lot. It’s a fantastic buzz.
 

“But the business starts tomorrow, with the longest day of the event. The key for tomorrow is to settle myself in and try not to make any mistakes.
 

“I haven’t got anything like the kind of experience of these cars the guys I’m competing against have and, of course, they’ve been driving them all season. Let’s see what happens.



I’m in a nice position really: I’ve won the title I wanted this year and this is a chance to relax and do the biggest rally in Britain without the pressure and expectation of a season-long title fight.”
 



Osian’s five favourite Welsh facts:


The top of the world is named after a Welshman: Mount Everest was so-called after Breconshire surveyor Sir George Everest in 1865.
 


Beaumaris’ Ye Old Bull’s Head Inn can boast Britain’s largest hinged door. The entrance to the coach yard is protected by a door 13ft high and 11ft wide.
 


Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium has the largest retractable roof of any sports stadium in the world. Total area is 26,862 square metres.
 


Don’t mess with Wales – the nation has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world.
 


Forget Wimbledon. Lawn tennis was born in Wales, in Major Walter Wingfield’s garden close to the base for today’s shakedown in Ruthin.
 


Tomorrow is:

Friday October 28
Osian’s day starts: 0610
Osian’s day finishes: 2020
Number of stages: 8
Competitive distance: 178.22km (110.74 miles)
Total distance: 624.93km (388.33 miles)
Longest stage: SS3/7 Hafren 35.14km (21.83 miles)
Shortest stage: SS2/6 Sweet Lamb 4.24km (2.63 miles)
 
 



About Dayinsure Wales Rally GB
October 27-30
Based: Deeside
Surface: gravel
Stages: 22
Competitive distance: 330.21km (205.19 miles)
Total distance: 1295.94km (805.29 miles)
Website: www.walesrallygb.com



Dayinsure Wales Rally GB Itinerary
Thursday October 27
Shakedown stage, Clocaenog 3.32 km (2.06 miles)
Ceremonial start, Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay 1830
 


Friday October 28

SS1 Myherin 1 31.82km (19.77 miles) 0820
SS2 Sweet Lamb 1 4.24km (2.63 miles) 0911
SS3 Hafren 1 35.14km (21.83 miles) 0924
SS4 Dyfnant 1 17.91km (11.12 miles) 1115
Remote tyre fitting zone at Newtown 1236
SS5 Myherin 2 31.82km (19.77 miles) 1354
SS6 Sweet Lamb 2 4.24km (2.63 miles) 1445
SS7 Hafren 2 35.14km (21.83 miles) 1458
SS8 Dyfnant 2 17.91km (11.12 miles) 1649
Service Deeside 1945
 


Saturday October 29

SS9 Pantperthog 1 9.64km (5.99 miles) 0818
SS10 Dyfi 1 21.12km (13.12 miles) 0851
SS11 Gartheiniog 1 11.34km (7.04 miles) 0927
SS12 Pantperthog 2 9.64km (5.99 miles) 1104
SS13 Dyfi 2 21.12km (13.12 miles) 1137
SS14 Gartheiniog 2 11.34km (7.04 miles) 1213
SS15 Aberhirnant 13.91km (8.64 miles) 1318
SS16 Cholmondeley Castle 1.80km (1.11 miles) 1541
Service Deeside 1633
 



Sunday October 30

SS17 Clocaenog 1 7.70km (4.78 miles) 0831
SS18 Brenig 1 7.93km (4.92 miles) 0908
SS19 Alwen 1 10.41km (6.46 miles) 0928
SS20 Clocaenog 2 7.70km (4.78 miles) 1033
SS21 Alwen 2 10.41km (6.46 miles) 1114
SS22 Brenig 2 7.93km (4.92 miles) 1208
Finish Llandudno 1700
 


 
Sandra Evans- photo Gary Jones