Rising Welsh rally talent Jason Pritchard successfully defended his Class R2 crown when the 21-year-old won his class on last weekends Pickering based International Rally of Yorkshire.

Although the final class position for Pritchard and co-driver Andrew Edwards indicates an easy event for the pair they suffered a number of dramas throughout the day, including losing their brakes completely.

Despite that, Pritchard averaged just over 60 miles an hour through the stages, despite the brake problems slowing him for three long tests!

“Today really did not go our way,” he said. “Our main target this weekend was to impress the judges enough to receive a Pirelli Star Driver Nomination but we failed in that objective. We did, however, successfully defend our Class R2 title, which is a tribute to the boys in service. When I need something done they just get on with it”!

Pritchard has now stood on the class podium for the past 11 championship scoring rallies in a row and will be aiming to make it a full dozen when he heads to France this weekend.

Pritchard and Edwards will contest the final round of the Citroen Racing Trophy, the Rallye Le Touquet, which begins on Friday afternoon.

by Geoff Mayes