22 year old Builth Wells resident Jason Pritchard has finished third overall in the 2010 Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship after a strong result on the recent International Rally of Yorkshire. Jason, the outgoing two wheel drive champion, has enjoyed a sensational first season in the North Road Garage supported Subaru Impreza N2010 and clinched the Privateers Award as an added bonus.
For 2010 the British championship season finale had a new headquarters in the seaside town of Scarborough and also featured a testing 16 mile stage in the darkness of Friday night before the bulk of the action took place on Saturday. Overnight rain made conditions treacherous and Pritchard, co-driven as usual by Robbie Durant, admitted to a cautious approach as he took time to re-adapt to gravel after spending the past five months rallying on tarmac.
With his championship hopes not looking good on Saturday morning Pritchard really upped his game and, apart from a confidence denting 100 mph spin on one test, set a number of good stage times. After making some setup changes to the Prodrive sourced car during the mid day service Jason found his confidence restored and was able to push harder in the afternoon. The highlight of his day was going second fastest on the second run through the Housedale Stage! This was good enough to ensure that he would end his maiden season in a four wheel drive third overall in the title chase and behind only two multiple British champions!
“I couldn’t have asked for more than third overall in the championship in my first year in the car. This season has been great and I feel that I have developed a lot as a driver. I cannot thank all of those who have supported me enough, without their efforts this result would never have been possible.
We are not really sure of our plans for next year yet and right now I am just concentrating on raising the budget to contest Wales Rally GB. The stages are all local to me and it would be good to compare times with the PWRC regulars.”
2010 has been a fairytale year for Jason. Strong results on each round of the British Rally Championship, including a fine third overall on the notoriously difficult Isle of Man International Rally in May, set him up for a great end to the season. And with outright wins on both the Red Kite Stages and the Mini Epynt Rally, Jason has proved that he is equally at home on tarmac and gravel.
