Osian Pryce, co-driver Dale Furniss, and Wales Motorsport were the big winners of this year’s Roger Albert Clark Rally, following five days of flat-out driving across the forests of Wales, Scotland, and England, writes Mark Griffin.

The most eagerly awaited rally event of the year got underway on Wednesday evening with a spectacular ceremonial start in the centre of Carmarthen. Mayor Cllr Heledd ap Gwynfor and members of the late Dai Roberts’ family flagged the cars away in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators, who braved the cold evening to witness the extravaganza.

The competitive action began the following morning in Crychan Forest near Tirabad, followed by Cefn Llewdlo Forest, both stages run by members of Brecon Motor Club. Each stage provided a stern test, with a hard overnight frost ready to catch out the unwary.

With limited events in 2025 and two years away from loose gravel rallying, Jason Pritchard was hoping to impress in his freshly rebuilt Mk2 Escort. After finishing third on the last running of the bi-annual event, Pritchard and co-driver Phil Clarke were aiming for a top result and were seeded car three.

With a top-class entry, anyone in the top 15 cars was a potential winner. Multiple past winners - Marty McCormack in car 1 (BMW M3), Seb Perez in car 5 (Lancia Stratos), and Mark Higgins in car 6 (Triumph TR7 V8) - were expected to be among the frontrunners.

Mid Wales driver Osian Pryce, in car 2, and co-driver Dale Furniss set the early pace in their Escort RS, taking a three-second lead in Crychan and extending their advantage as the day progressed.

Jason Pritchard set a cautious pace on the icy stages, keeping times well within the top ten and mindful not to take unnecessary risks on the endurance rally.

On Friday morning, the event moved into the classic Mid Wales forests of Myherin, Hafren/Sweet Lamb, and Cwmysgawen, near Abbey Cwm Hir.

Ice-covered roads soon caught out Seb Perez in the Stratos, drawing groans of disappointment as news of the Italian supercar’s early exit spread through the forests.

Welshpool hosted the midday service halt before a repeat of Hafren/Sweet Lamb, with many top cars going off the road, especially on the dark, icy stages. After the Welsh leg, the rally moved north to Carlisle for three days, where Saturday’s Riccarton stage on higher, snow-covered ground caused further dramas for crews.

The weather turned milder for Sunday and Monday in Scotland and Kielder, as the relentless action continued and culminated with a mammoth 38-mile stage in Kielder Forest, providing the final sting in the tail.

Pryce barely put a wheel wrong on his way to his first victory in the event, with his Wales Motorsport Ford Escort Mk2 running flawlessly, needing only fuel, tyres, and brake pads across five days.

Pryce held off the challenge of Paul Barrett and Gordon Noble, who still claimed a tremendous second place in their similar Ford Escort Mk2, as the Escorts once again set the pace on Britain’s toughest special stage rally. Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke brought their North Road Garage Escort RS home in a fine eighth position.

In the final reckoning, Pryce secured a well-deserved victory. “It’s been a tough rally. I’m happy just to get through and finally tick that all-important box,” said the 2025 winner.