Osian goes in search of home rule
21.10.16
News release
Osian goes in search of home rule
World Rally Championship star Osian Pryce is aiming to sign off his Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy-winning season in style at next week’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB – Britain’s biggest motorsport event of the season.
With the World Rally Championship in Wales, Osian and co-driver Dale Furniss have stepped up a category and will tackle the Deeside-based event in a Ford Fiesta R5.
Osian, who celebrated winning the world championship’s most prestigious and valuable feeder series in Spain last week, explained the difference between the two cars.
“They’re both Fiestas, so they look fairly similar,” he said. “But the car we’ve been driving all year is a two-wheel drive turbocharged one-litre car. The car for this week is a much more focused machine with four-wheel drive and a lot, lot more power.
“What we’ve got for our home round of the world championship is the real deal. It’s a car very similar to the one we used on Rally GB two years ago.”
Two years ago, Osian made his competitive debut in a four-wheel drive car and was an instant hit – setting times good enough to place him second in WRC2. WRC2 is one step down from the main world championship field.
“I was pleased with how that event went two years ago,” he said. “But the main thing for us this week is to gain experience of this Fiesta R5. This is the car we will be using on two overseas rounds of the WRC next year, so it’s really important we get through the stages and get as much seat time as possible.”
Can he win WRC2?
“No,” said Osian, “a win would really be a step too far this time. This is one of the most competitive WRC2 fields I’ve seen in ages. Dare I think about a top three? Maybe that’s realistic, but, like I say, it’s about the experience we can take. We need to see how we measure up against the other Fiestas, that’ll give us something to think about over the winter months and some idea of what sort of pace we need for next year.”
After a pressure-filled season, Osian’s looking forward to coming home and competing in forests he knows and loves.
“We’ve been to some amazing places this year,” he said, “places that are really hot, lovely and sunny and all that. But, I’ll be honest, there’s no place like home. When I was going off to work this morning, the sun was just coming up on a crisp autumn day and I thought: “This is it, this is the time for Rally GB.” I can’t wait to get in the car and get on with it. It’s such a special feeling to be competing at home, surrounded by so many family and friends. It’s fantastic. And to be doing it with the championship won and the pressure gone is just such a bonus.”
Despite winning his WRC-based title in Spain, Osian was straight back to work this week.
“I haven’t had a minute to think about winning the championship,” he said. “It was literally straight back into work as soon as we landed and then we had a few hassles getting the money sorted for Rally GB, so I was on the phone trying to get all of those problems solved. We’re there now though. Like all of our rallying, it’s been very much a hand-to-mouth kind of deal, but that’s the way it has to be for us. Getting on the phone chasing sponsorship is what keeps us on the road, so I’m only too happy to do that. I can’t thank everybody enough for the help this season in achieving our dream
“Let’s just hope we can pay them back with another great result at home next week.”
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 zone, 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 1326
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
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
