Jason Pritchard scored maximum Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship points after a stunning performance on the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally (19-20 June) in his North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
Co-driven by Phil Clarke, the three-time BTRDA sealed surface champion lost time and confidence on the opening Dunoon town stage after breaking a wheel, which put him in second position going into Friday night’s overnight halt.
Jason then took the lead on Saturday’s opening stage and, while remaining cautious on the wettest and most slippery sections, drove superbly to score his first Protyre Asphalt victory since last year’s Manx National Rally.
The result sees the Builth Wells pilot rocket from 17th to 6th in the drivers’ standings and establish himself as a firm title contender.
Alex Vassallo led the Protyre Asphalt field by six seconds into the overnight halt, despite starting the event on a full wet set-up (on what turned out to be mainly dry roads) and going off on SS6 when blinded by the low sun.
Saturday saw Alex and co-driver Chris Lees in a close battle with Jason, but the gap gradually grew to 25 seconds as he settled for second in the Wildwaters Seafood Ford Fiesta Rally2.
The result sees the Newcastle upon Tyne driver jump from 18th to 8th in the points table, and like Jason (who has also dropped two scores) can count every point he collects from now until the end of the season, giving him a great shot of the title.
For the first time in his career, Aled Wyn Morgans leads the Protyre Asphalt Championship after four rounds.
In his first season in the Aberystwyth Motorsport Fiesta Rally2, and on only his sixth event in the car, the former Escort Mk2 driver scored his first Protyre Asphalt overall podium result after a brilliant performance.
Thanks to a 100% finishing record and a string of high scoring results this season, Aled leads the drivers’ standings, while Jack Bowen heads the co-drivers’ category.
Huw James unleashed the full potential of his new A&D Tyres/Maxxis Fiat 131 Mirafiori with a sensational run on both days. Despite the often wet and slippery Cowal Peninsula stages, he and co-driver Lewis Sim not only finished as the top 2WD crew but also scored a truly stunning fifth place overall Protyre Asphalt points finish.
The Llanon driver jumps to third in Class 3, and with two scores dropped is a serious title challenger to class leader Lee Edwards.
