Jason Pritchard is the 2018 Protyre MSA Asphalt Rally Champion after taking his third maximum points score of the season on the Ford Parts Cheviot Stages Rally in Northumberland.

In a thrilling and dramatic season finale, Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke delivered a masterclass performance in their North Road Garage Ford Focus WRC05, overcoming snow and torrential rain to triumph.

Winning the title is extra special for the Pritchard family from Builth Wells after Jason’s father Eian narrowly missed out on the title 30 years ago.

The success represents Pritchard’s fourth major rally title in as many years having won a record breaking three MSA British Historic Rally Championships between 2015 and 2017.

Pritchard said: “We’ve had everything thrown at us so it was a case of keeping it clean and getting the car to the finish without a problem. W

“We almost managed to do that without making any mistakes, but we had a bit of an overshoot on one stage, but apart from that everything was steady away and spot on.

“It was a hard day’s rallying and anyone who reached the finish deserves a medal.

“Winning the Asphalt Championship means a lot, because dad tried so many times and came so close.

“Thirty years ago, I’d only just been born and he was fighting for the title up here on Otterburn, and now I’ve got it. It’s going to take a while to sink it.”

Pritchard ends the season with 139 points, 13 clear of closest challenge Wayne Sisson with Daniel Harper claiming third spot.