OSIAN Pryce claimed second place on the podium at last weekend’s Harry Flatters Rally in Epynt.

The Aberangell star was joined by Llanfyllin co-driver Dale Furniss in making his asphalt event rear wheel drive debut on the wet and slippery course at the SGC Printing Harry Flatters Rally.

Suffolk-based specialists RallyXtreme gave Pryce use of its John Wilcox BDG engined Escort Mk2 to take on the 11 stage 70 mile event on the famous military range roads around Epynt and Sennybridge

Pryce battled torrential rain and strong winds to record the third fastest time on the opening stage and climbed to second in the rankings after the first loop of stages.

Pryce started the second loop of stages just five seconds behind leaders Gareth James and Steffan Evans before a misfire and overshoot saw him drop time.

However a fantastic final loop saw Pryce and Furniss secure second place.

Pryce said: “I thought it would be difficult to learn a new car in such wet and slippery conditions but the Escort Mk2 was superb to drive.

“There were no heroics, but we were challenging for the National A Rally lead against Gareth James, an asphalt expert who we had identified as a benchmark before the rally.

“The second loop was not so good as we picked up a misfire and while trying to make up for lost time overshot a chicane on stage nine. We must have lost a good 20 to 30 seconds.

“The final loop of stages were the best for us, because we’d got used to the car and were able to push on fairly hard, but still without taking any risks.

“It was a great result given the wet conditions and the number of top four wheel drive cars contesting the event.

“It was great fun to drive a Tarmac-spec Escort Mk2. It was completely different to a gravel car but every bit as enjoyable.”