Pritchard takes Manx podium
Builth Wells resident Jason Pritchard and his Aberystwyth based co-driver
Andrew Edwards survived a difficult Isle of Man International Rally to
bring their FCS Laser Mail backed Citroen C2R2 Max home second in class
and eighth overall last weekend.
Jason and Andrew struggled with an ill handling C2 on the opening day,
with Jason reporting that the car was all over the place on the narrow
island roads. Excessive use of the brakes, to try and keep the little
pocket rocket under control saw 20 year old Jason struggle with brake
fade on the longer stages. The handling problem was traced to a damaged
suspension damper which was replaced at the end of day service.
Jason, a member of the British Rally Elite, began day two in eleventh
position overall and immediately set about making up time to the class
leader. However, with the onset of rain on the second loop of stages the
Competition Car Insurance supported C2R2 struggled for grip, before the
gearbox began to fail towards the end of the day. Jason had no option but
to change his focus from challenging for class honours to nursing his
North Road Garage backed Citroen to the finish.
Well it has certainly been an eventful weekend. Once again we've
proved that we have the pace but once the gearbox began playing up we had
to back off and focus on championship points. Despite the rushed recce on
Thursday I felt our notes were really good and so we head to Ulster
hungry for a strong run!
Jason and Andrew currently lie second in the C2R2cup, six points adrift
of Irishman Martin McCormack with two rounds to go. The series heads
across the Irish Sea next, to the Ulster Rally. But before then Jason has
an extensive test planned as he seeks to unlock more pace from both
himself and the car.
-credit: jasonpritchard.co.uk
