Brecon Motor Club News: August 2008

BMC's Jason Pritchard did his Citroen Cup aspirations no harm at all at the weekend finishing the Ulster Rally just 30 odd seconds behind talented Irish hotshot Martin McCormack. After a steady start Jason racked up some excellent times on unfamiliar roads and impressed in the company he was in. Below is the official PR report issued.

20 year old Welshman Jason Pritchard ensured that his championship is well and truly back on track after a highly competitive run on the ultra tricky Ulster Rally last weekend, where the Builth Wells resident secured the runner up position in the Citroen C2R2cup.

Jason, who is co-driven by Welshpool based George Gwynn in the North Road Garage supported Citroen C2R2, was returning to Ireland for the first time since a violent crash on the West Cork Rally. Any concerns that the pair might have had about their performance on the technical Irish lanes were well and truly put to rest this weekend. With the rally counting toward both the British and Irish C2R2 series this would be the most competitive round of either championship.

The pair adopted the same strategy that had worked so well on the Isle of Man back in July, and settled into a comfortable pace on Friday night. Jason was not altogether happy with the handling on the car and quickly adjusted the little pocket rocket to suit the conditions. Whilst a puncture on the final night time stage cost the pair quite some time they still returned to Armagh at the end of day 1 fourth amongst the C2’s, and a mere four seconds behind Irish pace setter Martin McCormack.

After a team meeting Jason and George made a conscious decision overnight to consolidate their position and when the weather turned nasty for the final six stages the pair were glad to not need to push hard, eventually returning to the ceremonial finish as the runners up in both the Irish and British C2R2cups.

What a brilliant way to put our gremlins to bed. The rally went perfectly, the car was faultless, with the C2 performing brilliantly for me, and George was spot on. The series is now looking quite exciting and I can’t wait to head back to the Trackrod.

Jason and George are now both in the thick of their respective title battles and with three rounds left to go (the season ending Wales Rally GB counts as two events) it really is all to play for.
The crew are back in action on Saturday 27th September for the Pickering based International Rally of Yorkshire.

The 2008 Eventsigns Mewla Rally provided a mixed bag of fortunes for our club members. With Eian Pritchard and Martin Jones away in Ulster looking after Jason's Citroen Cup aspirations it meant that someone else could claim the top Brecon Motor Club kudos!

After a troublesome Flatters Wayne Palmer and Garth Ralphs were looking for a better weekend and this time the car behaved to bring them home in a very respectable 26th overall. The difficult conditions favoured their lower powered car and driving skill was a more defining factor. It will be interesting to see them go next year now the car is 'sorted' for Epynt.

Ed Lloyd joined the club for the hillclimb this year and with son Matthew was a nice different sight in the now tired looking TR8! They finished in 38th position but an unfortunate error on one of the triangles cost them a lot of time and places.

Sara Williams was out for championship points on this one and despite removing an over tight LSD in the week before managed well enough to finish 42nd. The differential should be back in by the Tour next march so look out!

Phil Jones and Ian Jury enjoy their rallying and despite a near standard Peugeot 205 GTi they always look to be trying. Their efforts were rewarded with 64th place and a relatively trouble free rally.

The only non finishers were Craig Jones and Peter Chappelle in the orange Peugeot. If nothing else, the car was still in one piece at the end of the day with no panel damage and no mechanical parts failed. They also learnt a valuable lesson that will help them greatly in the future. When at service put fuel in the car and don't rely on the service crew to think of everything!! Don't worry boys it could have been far worse...............................