2022
The 2022 season would start at Essex for the first time in its history and Cronin led for much of the opener in Clacton, before Pryce overhauled him on the final loop, handing the Welshman the first win of the season and arguably the psychological advantage.
A swap to new rubber for Cronin at the Jim Clark Rally saw a calmer approach from the Volkswagen Polo GTi driver but eyes were fully on Pryce during the opening night’s loop of stages.
Failing to stop and change a puncture breached an event regulation and the Welshman was excluded, allowing Cronin to cruise to victory. One all then.
The first gravel encounter at the Nicky Grist Stages saw Pryce take win number two and the perfect response to the calamity of the Jim Clark points situation, but Cronin replied with success of his own at the Grampian Rally.
All to play for
Three rounds remained and it was level pegging. Rali Ceredigion that would prove pivotal in the title race. Once again Cronin set the early pace but in the darkness of the opening loop, fired his Volkswagen off the road during the tricky night-time leg, leaving Pryce to quite literally, secure a home win.
Rally Yorkshire would be the decider and if Pryce could keep Cronin at bay – that elusive title was his. Cronin did all he could to curb a gusty drive from Pryce in Yorkshire, but the damage was done.
Finally, Pryce and co-driver Noel O’Sullivan joined a list of greats including the likes of Colin McRae, Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomqvist and Hannu Mikkola.
Being a three-time British Rally Championship runner-up must be quite tough for a career-minded driver. There must come a point where you must either concede defeat or stare the challenge in the face, tighten the belts and dig deep. In 2022 Osian Pryce did just that.
The only other British Rally Championship winner in 2022 was Ruari Bell. The Skoda Fabia driver had been knocking on the door of the top step all season long, securing no less than three podiums along the way. But success finally came at the Cambrian Rally, pushing WRC ace Oliver Solberg throughout the day to stamp his mark on the BRC scene once and for all.
2023
In a revised roster, Britain’s premier rallying series will feature seven events across the four home nations, with rallies in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. It will also return to mainland Europe as it visits Belgium for the first time since 2019.
The new-look calendar will once again see the Rally2 contenders form the topflight and will battle for the coveted British title which will see the best British & Irish rally drivers going to claim a title that has seen the likes of Colin McRae, Richard Burns claiming this covenant title. Will we see a different champion this year? Time will tell with the opening round (Malcom Wilson Rally) on the 11th of March.
