The 2017 Mintex MSA British Historic Rally Championship is set up for one of the most exciting finishes to a season as Jason Pritchard stylishly clinched victory in the Isle of Man last weekend (14th – 16th September). Victory over the three day rally sets up a winner-takes-it all final round in Yorkshire at the end of the month.
Pritchard and opposition rally crews competed over 160 miles of some of Europe’s finest asphalt rallying and the Welshman was delighted to come out on top and is now back on track to be the first driver to win the British Historic Rally Championship three times in a row:
“I love rallying in the Isle of Man and I’ve been lucky enough to have had some great success on the famous island so I was confident heading into the double-header over the two days, but not complacent. “With two rounds of points available it’s crucial to make sure you score as many points as possible so I’m delighted to have achieved maximum points across the two rounds.”
Pritchard’s quest to retain the title he and co-driver Phil Clarke have won over the past two years relied heavily on this weekend and he didn’t fail to deliver.
Across the weekend there were a number of stages that ran in the dark, which added another challenge to this Historic event, along with some unexpected downpours:
“I always seem to struggle on the first stage but this time was different, I posted the fastest time on the Historic stage which gave me such a confidence boost, to start well was so crucial and it couldn’t have gone better. “Stage two was hard, the heavens really did open and I don’t think I’ve experience rain like it whilst rallying. I was just glad to finish the stage unscathed! “Each stage had its problems but each time, I kept delivering what myself and Phil wanted and we kept our noses in front over both rounds, with no dramas on the final day, it was such an amazing feeling to know we had completed the double and given ourselves the best possible chance of retaining the title.”
The formidable duo of Pritchard and Clarke won the Rally Isle of Man Classicagh for the second year in a row and their overall time would have put them inside the top 10 against the modern British Championship Cars.
Pritchard now faces the real possibility of a record-breaking British Historic Rally Championship hat-trick and is three points ahead of nearest Elliot in the Championship:
“It would be a dream to clinch a third title but it’s going to be a tough weekend in Yorkshire at the end of the month, I’m up against some world-class drivers so I just need to concentrate on doing my job and my job only. “Viking Motorsport did a fantastic job in preparing the car for me and as always, I would like to thank my sponsors: North Road Garage Builth Wells, Harkness Competition Tyres, Pirelli, Viking Motorsport, Sherwood Engines, Martin Jones Transmission and Monaville Guesthouse. “I wouldn’t be able to do this without them, or my family and the guys working on the car for me during the service. A special mention also to the organisers and marshals who always put on a great event out here and had to put up with some tricky weather conditions!”
