Fantastic first day keeps rookie Osian in top six at home

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28.10.16

News release

Fantastic first day keeps rookie Osian in top six at home

Welsh rally star Osian Pryce has finished his first day of WRC2 competition at Wales Rally GB in an exceptional sixth place.

This year’s Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy champion has stepped up to the World Rally Championship’s premier support category (WRC2) this week and made an immediate impression on the sport’s top flight.

Twice on today’s eight stages, the 23-year-old was the fastest driver in a Ford Fiesta R5 – an incredible achievement for Osian and Dale on their WRC2 debut.

Frustratingly, they would have finished the day top Fiesta R5 runner in the field were it not for the loss of more than half a minute with a puncture on this morning’s final stage.

Osian said: “I’m really happy with that first day. We’ve done exactly what we wanted to do against the other Fiestas – those are the only guys we can compare ourselves to.

“I drove this car for 10 or 15 miles on Monday, but apart from that I was straight into it this morning and to be beating drivers who have been in these cars all year is what I was hoping for at the end of the rally – not the first day!

“The only frustration today was the puncture. I clipped a concrete kerb in one of the stages and the tyre went down straight away. Luckily, the tyre stayed on the rim until the last couple of corners when it started to disintegrate. We lost around half a minute with that problem and without that, we would have been first Ford in WRC2 tonight. That’s a fantastic progression in a single day, I’m happy with that.

“The conditions have been so tough today – really not ideal to be learning a new car! The fog in Myherin both times was unbelievable and the changing grip levels in the rain and then as the roads dried a little bit made it so difficult to judge the braking distances and just how much corner speed you could carry.

“To be honest, I’ve loved it today. After driving a one-litre Fiesta to win DDFT, getting in this thing is just awesome.

“I’ve got to say a big well done to the organisers for a great route today and for bringing us into Chester tonight. It’s the end of a long day, but to see so many spectators in the city makes it all the more worthwhile. Fantastic day. And tomorrow we’re on home territory – I can’t wait!”


Today was… 

Osian’s day in detail. His times against his WRC2 rivals.

SS1: 6th fastest (6th in WRC2) sensible start in tricky conditions

SS2: 9th fastest (7th in WRC2) slight mix-up with marshal costs five seconds

SS3: 8th fastest (6th in WRC2) trouble-free in Hafren

SS4: 12th fastest (8th in WRC2) front-right puncture

SS5: 5th fastest (6th in WRC2) fastest Fiesta R5

SS6: 9th fastest (6th in WRC2) enjoyed the crowds in Sweet Lamb

SS7: 5th fastest (6th in WRC2) up to fourth with great time in Hafren

SS8: 5th fastest (6th in WRC2) fastest Fiesta R5


Weather:

Today: rain then overcast, 12-16 degrees

Tomorrow: cloudy and sunshine, 9-15 degrees


Tomorrow is…

Saturday October 29

Osian’s day starts: 0622

Osian’s day finishes: 1656

Number of stages: eight

Competitive distance: 99.91km (62.08 miles)

Total distance: 432.79km (268.93 miles)

Longest stage: SS 10/13 Dyfi 21.12km (13.12 miles)

Shortest stage: SS16 Cholmondeley Castle 1.80km (1.11 miles)


Meet Osian…

Date of birth: 24.02.93

Lives: Machynlleth

Co-driver: Dale Furniss

First rally: Rally Kurzeme (Latvia) August 2009 – 37th overall, eighth 2WD

Rally starts: 62

British Rally Championship event wins: 5*

British Rally Championship results: 2nd (2013/14), 3rd (2012)

World Rally Championship starts: 10

World Rally Championship class wins: 3

Website: osianpryce.com

* Including Osian’s dominant National Rally Cup victory on this year’s Mid Wales Stages


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


Dayinsure Wales Rally GB media contact:

Jonathan Gill

media@walesrallygb.com 

+44 (0)1372 414120


Now say hello to the Ford Fiesta R5

Engine: 1600cc turbo, 32mm restrictor

Max power: 280bhp @ 6,200rpm

Transmission: Sadev five-speed sequential gearbox, Sadev front /rear differential

Suspension: Adjustable Reiger dampers, MacPherson struts front/rear

Brakes: 300mm discs four-piston calipers; hydraulic handbrake

Wheels: OZ Racing 7x15-inch

Dimensions: length 3982mm; width 1695mm; height 1481mm; wheelbase 2490mm


Osian’s championship-winning 2016 so far…

Rally Portugal

May 19-22

Based: Matosinhos

Surface: gravel

Osian outings: 2 (2015, retired – mechanical; 2016 1st in DDFT)

Result: 1st

Stage wins: 4

Stages led: 1

Osian and Dale took a sensible approach to the first half of the Porto-based opener, but still remained in the top three throughout the event. Moved to the front on the final day and took the win by almost two minutes.

Rally Poland

June 30-July 3

Based: Mikolajki

Surface: gravel

Osian outings: 2 (2015, 2nd Junior WRC; 2016 2nd in DDFT)

Result: 2nd

Stage wins: 8

Stages led: 4

Rarely has second place been celebrated in quite such a fashion. Osian’s result secured him the first major victory of the World Rally Championship season so far. Leading the points race after the first two DDFT rounds, Osian and Dale are now confirmed as factory DMACK drivers for two WRC events in a Ford Fiesta R5 next season.

Rally Finland

July 28-31

Based: Jyväskylä

Surface: gravel

Osian outings: 1

Result: 6th

Stage wins: 8

Stages led: 5

Osian and Dale showed the Finns the way home in Finland last time out. Quickest DDFT runners on days one and three, only a Saturday morning shunt spoiled the Welshmen’s dream debut on the world’s fastest rally.

Rally Germany

August 18-21

Based: Trier

Surface: asphalt

Osian outings: 1

Result: 1st

Stage wins: 5

Stages led: 15

It doesn’t get much better than this: Osian and Dale lead from start to finish in a supremely quick and perfectly controlled victory on their Rally Germany debut.

Rally of Spain

October 13-16

Based: Salou

Surface: gravel/asphalt

Osian outings: 1

Result: 5th

Stage wins: 4

Stages led: 1

Crowned DDFT Champions for 2016.


Media contact:

Sandra Evans

+44 7887 693993

sandra@wordspr.com

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Quotes

I drove this car for 10 or 15 miles on Monday, but apart from that I was straight into it this morning and to be beating drivers who have been in these cars all year is what I was hoping for at the end of the rally – not the first day!
Osian Pryce