Nicky Grist Stages success as mid Wales rally crews claim podium spots

Aberdovey's Tom Cave, alongside Llanfyllin co-driver Dale Furness came second un a Ford Fiesta Rally2 with Aberangell's Osian Pryce and co-driver Noel O'Sullivan, in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, ending third overall.

Osian Pryce.

However victory belonged to Matt Edwards and Darren Garrod in their Yuasa Rally Team Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 to take the lead of the British Rally Championship.

They were fourth after the opening stage, and overcame a morning misfire and brake bias issues to finish five seconds ahead of Tom Cave/Dale Furness after two loops through Llyn Login, Monument, Halfway and Crychan forests and all 44 stage miles.

Osian Pryce finished just a further seven seconds behind in third, as the top three pulled away from the rest of the field.

Each led the event at some stage, and were separated by only a second or two on most of the stages – with Edwards and Pryce tied for the lead after SS2, and Cave and Edwards tied for the lead after SS3.

Tom Cave and Dale Furniss in action. Picture by Gary Jones Photography.

An equally impressive performance came from Callum Black/Jack Morton, who won the Interclub section of the rally in their Ford Fiesta R5 and were top point scorers in both the MRF Tyres BTRDA Rally Series and Pirelli Welsh National Rally Championship.

Further down the field was Builth Wells driver Jason Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke who ended 27th in a Ford Escort RS 1800 MKII and topped his class and Welshpool's Robbi Wood and Osian Davies ended 98th in a Ford Escort MK2 to end second in their class.

170 crews who took part – most of which hadn’t rallied for eighteen months, and many for a lot longer than that.

Osian Pryce in action at the Nicky Grist Stages.

And in addition to the competitors, it was Welsh rallying itself that was a big winner – as the Nicky Grist Stages was the first major forestry rally in Wales for 17 months, with Covid-19 compliant measures built into the fabric of the event.

The relaxation of Welsh government guidelines meant that the event was given the go ahead at short notice, and Quinton Motor Club rose to the challenge by organising everything in just 10 weeks.

A spokesman said: "The 2021 Nicky Grist Stages could not have run without the support of everyone involved, including the competitors, teams, officials, all eight major championships and their sponsors, Motorsport UK, BTRDA, MOD, NRW, Powys County Council, Builth Wells Town Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, a record number of volunteer marshals who kept everyone safe and secure and to the spectators who heeded the pleas to say away and watch the action lived streamed on the internet instead.

“We’ve had a great day and we’re absolutely over the moon with the win,” said Matt Edwards.

Matthew Edwards on his way to Nicky Grist Stages glory. Picture by Gary Jones Photography.

“It means a lot to come out on top against such a quality field. It’s been one hell of a fight all day and we haven’t been able to give away a tenth. It was a fantastic effort by the Melvyn Evans Motorsport team to fix the few issues we had with the car at service and then we tried to stick it in the trees a few times on the final stages, but it all came good in the end."

Pryce insisted he was content with a place on the podium.

“I’m delighted with third, and a second British Rally Championship podium in as many events, especially against such a quality field here on the Nicky Grist Stages,” he said.

“We had a good start and led after the opening two stages, but on the second part of the opening loop we were hampered by a little bit of dust.

Osian Pryce in action at the Nicky Grist Stages.

“It was the same for both myself and Tom Cave, so maybe he took a few more risks in the dust. It kind of decided the rally, because the last stage had no dust whatsoever and we were faster than Matt Edwards and set equal time with Tom.

"But it is what it is and the three of us were very close throughout the day, so it was a very good and enjoyable battle. And it was just great to be out rallying in the Welsh forests again, after such a long time away.

“For our first gravel event in the Polo GTI, we are very pleased with the result. We’re still getting used to the car and the Michelin tyres. Tyre wear was a little higher than we’d expected in the afternoon for example, but we’re learning all the time and there is a lot more to come from me in this car, so in this early stage of the championship everything is going pretty well."

All eyes now turn to the Grampian Forest Rally in Scotland next month.

Osian Pryce in action at the Nicky Grist Stages.

Pryce added: "We’ve got a lot of groundwork and learning done on the Nicky Grist Stages and that will put us in good shape for the next round of the BRC. The Grampian Forest Rally is also gravel and quite fast as well, so this event has been massively beneficial for us moving forward.

“Two podiums from two events is a strong start to the championship and consistency is already there. I really felt that I was starting to get on top of the Polo GTI on the closing stages of the Nicky Grist, and that is a good confidence boost heading to Scotland for the next round.”