Fantastic first day keeps rookie Osian in top six at home
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
+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
