Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke won this years Epynt Rally with a hard fought victory in their MK2 Escort.
The scene was set with perfect blue skies on the morning phase with Elliott & Price enjoying a 12s lead after the opening loop with Pritchard/Clarke in 2nd. Tuthill/Prevot where third but only 2s further back.
lliott/Price firm up their 12s lead after the second pass of the loop but Pritchard/Clarke stamp an impressive SS3 time to keep them honest.
Jordan/Gratton-Smith move into third after Plains Rally winners Tuthill/Prevot exit on the Burmah road in their 911.
Pritchard/Clarke are on a charge over a soggy SS5 to cut the gap to Elliott/Price to just 3s. Jordan/Gratton-Smith keep Chilman/Walsh at bay in third. Two 13mile stages for the field and it looked set to be a nail biting finish.
With one stage remaining we had new rally leaders after a storming run from Pritchard/Clarke, 19s faster no less seen them vault over Elliott/Price, now in 2nd. Jordan/Gratton-Smith retaining third place.
And it was all smiles in the end when Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke crossed over the final stage to take their first victory of the season. A true masterclass in how to handle the tricky conditions in historic rally cars.
Nick Elliott / Dave Price took second and third overall while Tomas Davies / Eurig Davies finished third in class and overall as well.
Melvyn Evans & Sion Williams finished second overall in the event.
