Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke have scored maximum Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship points on the Proflex Manx Rally after a stunning drive in their Pirelli-shod North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
In only his second event in the new car, the three-time Protyre Asphalt champion was battling for victory right from the word go – and took the lead of the BTRDA series category after a push through the two long Friday night stages – despite having a slight issue with the lights.
Jason started Saturday’s third and final leg with a 3.2 second Protyre Asphalt lead but dropped to third after overshooting the first hard braking point on the day’s opening stage (SS11). He retook the lead two stages later and extended his advantage over the remaining five stages to beat his nearest title rivals by an impressive 50.9 seconds.
Having picked up fourth-place points on the opening East Riding Stages, Jason takes the lead at the top of the Protyre Asphalt drivers’ points table.
Mark Kelly is also quickly getting used to his new Kelmore Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Fastest time on SS2 saw him move up to third in the Protyre Asphalt standings, but as the Pooil Vaaish stage was repeated straight after and the top cars slotted in at 30 second intervals behind lower seeded cars, he caught the historic-spec BMW M3 E30 Will Onions/Dave Williams on SS3 and was 3.7 seconds slower through the second time, dropping him to fourth – where he and co-driver Will Atkins stayed for much of Friday, despite setting another fastest time on SS8.
Mark knows there is a lot more to come from the car and he showed this on the last three stages of the Manx when he came from fourth to take second-place points – by just 5.2 seconds after 119 stage miles.
Despite setting some very impressive stage times, Neil Roskell was a little out of sorts on the Manx. Irritating issues began on the shakedown when a rear anti-roll bar broke on his Michelin-shod ND Civils/Burdens/Witham Motorsport Ford Fiesta Rally2. The 2022 Manx Rally winner wasn’t comfortable with the car’s set up and altered the suspension for Leg 2, only to have a moment on Friday night’s opening stage. Co-driven by Rob Fagg, Neil survived an even bigger moment a few stages later but arrived at the overnight halt third in the Protyre Asphalt standings. The plan was to push hard on Saturday, and despite still not feeling 100% confident Neil kept focused and took home another Protyre Asphalt podium result to move up to second in the overall drivers’ standings.
On only his second event on the Isle of Man, Sam Touzel set fastest time on the opening stage in his Smart Scaffolding Fiesta Rally2 to lead the Manx Rally overall – and he also led the Protyre Asphalt standings for the first nine stages. The St. Helier driver admitted that it wasn’t a position he’d anticipated to find himself in, although his pace came as little surprise to his rivals.
Having briefly lost the top Protyre Asphalt spot to Jason Pritchard, Sam and co-driver Max Freeman retook it after Saturday’s opening stage – but such was the five-time Manx Rally winner’s pace and experience on the island that Sam looked sure to have secured the Protyre Asphalt runners-up spot on Saturday afternoon. But on the 18th and last stage, Sam picked up a puncture and lost 40 seconds, dropping him to fourth. The result still sees Sam move from fifth to third in the overall points standings, however.
David Wright/Jane Nicol were on tremendous form, setting fastest on SS3 in their GPM/DamperTek/Grove Hill Garage Fiesta R5. A few issues on Friday, which resulted in a 20 second penalty for arriving late at a control, saw them end Leg 2 seventh in the Protyre Asphalt standings. They enjoyed a great Saturday, with another fastest time on SS12 helping them fight back and take home fifth-place points.
Gareth Mimnagh’s plan to ignore everything that was happening around him and focus on his own performance was rewarded with sixth-place Protyre Asphalt points. Co-driven by Barry McCarney, it was an impressive outing by the Omagh driver, who never put a foot wrong in his CM Trust Fiesta Rally2.
Steve Wood wasn’t confident with the handling of his Citroën C3 Rally2 on the opening leg, and the time loss put the 2022 Protyre Asphalt champion well down the order. Co-driven by Kenny Hull, the Aberystwyth driver had to reverse away from a wall on SS12, which was indicative of the way his weekend was going. With little clicking, it became a case of getting the car home without damage, which proved to be the sensible decision as he collected seventh-place points.
Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan changed the suspension on their Trick Motorsport prepared and East Budleigh Garage run Hydroline Solutions Fiesta Rally2 after Leg 1 and had a push on the long Friday night stage which moved them up the leaderboard. The Somerton driver was annoyed with himself for being too hesitant on Saturday morning, but a top 10 Protyre Asphalt result was not just a good haul of points but more valuable Rally2 seat time in the new car.
Stephen Simpson hit a wall on Friday night and lost the front bumper on his normally immaculate Tudor Glass Fiesta Rally2. Co-driven by Mark Glennerster, the 2007 Protyre Asphalt champion pressed on to finish just outside the Protyre Asphalt top 10.
John Stone survived the dreaded dark Friday night stages, only to hit a rock that had been pulled out onto the road on Saturday’s opening stage, bending the steering on his Legend Performance Engineering Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. Co-driven by Kirsty Duke he continued apace to score an excellent result.
Chris Ford/Neil Colman enjoyed the event in their Citroën C3 Rally2, finishing ahead of Wayne Sisson/Keir Beaton, who lost time on Friday when they had to stop their AMS Arnside Motorsport Mitsubishi Evo 10 mid-stage to change a rear puncture.
Roger and Tommi Henderson continue to regain their speed and confidence after a big crash last year and scored a good result, despite a minor scare when they clipped a rock on SS8 in their DKMS We Delete Blood Cancer Fiesta Rally2.
Also putting in a solid 4WD performance and getting to the finish of a very tough event where Mike English/Andy Robinson (Lumina Surveillance/Finer Detailers/Kwiktrak Fiesta Rally2), Oli Hopkins/Ian Taylor (Hopkins Motorsport Mitsubishi Mirage) and Paul Murphy/Richard Robinson (Mitsubishi) – the result giving the Lancashire Evo 9 driver the Protyre Asphalt Class B lead.
Nathan Bolton/Phil Kenny clipped a rock on SS2 and parked their Monza Installs/Legend Performance Fiesta Rally2 with the front right wheel at a 90° angle. They restarted Leg 2 but failed to finish that as well – so Saturday was all about seat time and gaining experience with the new car, which they did in style.
Cal McCarthy was simply sensational on his maiden visit to the Isle of Man and was fourth in the Protyre Asphalt standings at the end of Leg 2 – which included setting the fastest time on SS10. Co-driven by Eric Calnan, the Clonakilty driver was only 20.7 seconds off the Protyre Asphalt lead when his Citroën C3 Rally2 suffered engine problems on SS14.
Damian Cole was back in the groove having not rallied on the Isle of Man since 2021. Unfortunately, an electrical issue on his Get Connected Citroën C3 Rally2. forced the six-time Protyre Asphalt champion and co-driver Rhodri Evans out on Leg 2.
Hugh Brunton/Richard Crozier were eighth after a solid opening day in their Škoda Fabia Rally2, but didn’t start Saturday when the Arbroath driver became unwell overnight.
Philip Hopkins/Sammy Allen struggled to get their tyres warmed up at times and crashed their Hopkins Race Transporters Mitsubishi Evo 6 heavily on Friday night.
Former Escort class B11 champion Michael Harbour was making his debut in a newly acquired Hamilton Haulage/VS Pro Fiesta R5. Co-driven by Cameron Dunn, the Ayr driver quickly got to grips with his new mount, but he was unfortunately forced out when the power steering failed.
Roger Duckworth/Ian Windress broke a driveshaft on their Technia Fiesta R5 on SS4 and had to do SS5 with it like that before reaching end of Leg 1 service. Unfortunately, high water temperature forced them into retirement on Leg 3.
Darrell Taylor/Cat Lund were flying in their Dom Buckley Motorsport-prepared Fiesta Rally2 – unfortunately over a big ditch, through a fence, into a field and into retirement on Friday night.
Cristian Davies/Ethan Zdrodowski were keen to gain experience on the Isle of Man, which for the most part they did, before retiring their Fiesta Proto on the final loop of stages.
Chris Rice was out in a Subaru Impreza hired from Dylan Davies Motorsport, but a turbo gasket issue meant that he and co-driver Gareth Price had to get through Leg 2 with the anti-lag system turned off. Saturday was short-lived, however, thanks to a clutch problem.
Arwel Parry/Iestyn Williams had a nightmare on Friday, with their Subaru Impreza breaking a driveshaft and retiring from Legs 1 and 2. They came back out again on Saturday, only to stop for a third time with gearbox problems.
Adam Midghall/Thomas Pidden and Tony and Chris Davies, both driving Mitsubishi Evo 9s, retired too.
There was a fierce battle for 2WD supremacy, fought out between Gordon Montana Morrison/Charlotte McDowall (Lochwinnoch Motors Heavy Haulage Escort Mk2) and Huw James/Lewis Sim (A&D Tyres Escort Mk2).
The leading two Protyre Asphalt 2WD crews were inseparable. Gordon led Huw by 2 seconds after Leg 1 and by 5 seconds after Leg 2. As both pushed to the limit (Huw surviving a “monumental moment” on SS11) they entered the penultimate stage just 5 seconds apart. In a fantastic final showdown, they set a last stage just 0.1 seconds apart, with Gordon winning the 2WD section by 5.1 seconds. Huw, meanwhile, takes the lead of the prestigious Escort Challenge.
Lee Edwards/Sam Spencer had been fastest 2WD on the opening stage in their glorious 3-litre Escort G3 – which won the Dynamic Fluids Best Presented Car Award, as selected and presented by championship scruntineer Geoff Doe.
There are few more spectacular drivers than Lee, but this time even the Oswestry man had to shake his head in disbelief at the pace ahead of him and was happy to finish third in Class C.
Max Murray put his local knowledge to good use in his BVS Vehicles Citroën DS3 R3T. Co-driven by Matty Owen, the Ramsey driver finished fourth in Class C to move up to second in the class standings.
Thomas Davies/Rhys Edwards finished fifth in Class C in their Adam Hewitt Escort, just ahead of Bradley Carroll/Gareth Short in another Escort. Jake Smith/Dave Tortoishell enjoyed themselves in their Mk2 to bag seventh, but were extremely lucky to survive flying straight on at a right hander and through some Manx moorland.
Chris Simmons/Frazer Moss had to rebuild the gearbox on their Darrian T90 GTR on Friday and still had a few issues with it on Saturday – like getting jammed in first gear on SS11 for example. They did well just to reach the finish.
Mal Boyd/Dannii Matthews hit a kerb with a rear wheel on SS8 and were forced to park their Escort Mk2 a few metres up the road with suspension damage.
Alyn Welsby/Dan Parsons made it two Class E wins out of two events in their smart Cymru Camper Furniture/CP Developments Escort Mk2. They finished just over a minute ahead of Neil Jones/Alan Thomas in their Team Pit Stop Escort Mk2.
Bryn and Brian Jones loved every second of the Manx in their W Jones & Son Escort MK2, and their efforts were rewarded with third in class. George Heighway/Tim Currie came home fourth after a trouble-free run in their Heighway Ltd/ASM Developments Toyota Corolla AE86, while Roger Holder/Yvonne Walton were fifth in a Honda Civic.
Antony Allery said that this event was going to be his last rally. If so, it wasn’t the finale the Colchester driver wanted or deserved, as he and co-driver Richard Bonner crashed their Escort Mk2 on Friday night.
Luke Constantine/Ifan Devine have taken the lead of Class F after victory in their Constantine Motorsport Opel Adam R2. Luke also leads the Protyre Asphalt Junior drivers’ class.
They had been in a close battle with Alex Kirk-Willey/Sasha Heriot, but unfortunately just 3.5 miles from the end of the final stage their AKW Installations Vauxhall Corsa S1600’s engine went bang.
This saw Kyle Casement (partnered for the first time by Martin Burns) finish second in class in his BVS Vehicles/FRM Rally Management Citroën C2 – despite losing the front bumper in a watersplash on Leg 3. Anthony Jevons/Margaret Kelly came home third in their Fiesta Rally2.
It had been eight years since Toney Webb last rallied on the Isle of Man, and together with Sophie Buckland they just missed out on a Class F podium after a great drive in their Suzuki Swift.
This was Dan Davies’ first event for a couple of years and together with co-driver James Hood he was enjoying a good run in his BSB Motorsport Opel Corsa – until they had to stop and changed a puncture on SS11, which ruined what would have been a great result.
Jack Edwards/Adam Burkill won Class G after an impressive run in their Mold Tyres/Porthmadog Holiday Let Vauxhall Nova.
In the Protyre Asphalt Historic sections, Shane Gamble/Julie Perry won Class H-A (and the Protyre Asphalt Mini Challenge section) in their Cooper S, while Richard Hill/ Patrick Cooper won Class H-C in their RH Motors Escort RS1800.
John Morgan/Llinos Jones-Edwards finished second in H-C in their Fairfield Motor Escort RS1800, while Mark Holmes/Mark Perryman completed the class podium.
Mark broke a half-shaft on his ND Civils/Mark Holmes Auto Engineering Escort Mk1 on the shakedown stage, but what started badly ended with the Poulton-le-Fylde driver taking the lead of the BTRDA Historic Asphalt Cup.
Mike Simpson/Sam Weller got out shape on a right hander on SS4, slid along a bank and beached their Self Storage Worcester/Physio Joint Escort RS1800. Rob Smith/Alun Cook retired with electrical problems in their BMW M3 E30, having been stuck in SS2 for what seemed like an eternity. Will Onions/Dave Williams retired their BMW M3 E30 with gearbox problems and Ian Robertson/Andy Scott, who had been running last on the road in their Connaught Competition Engines/PACE IOM Hillman Avenger, retired near the end of the event.
Ian Clare/Chris Chapman ground to a halt for a couple of minutes on SS2 with a misfire before their J&S handling/DT Training/Fluid Power Supplies/Melia Accounting Wolseley Hornet was coaxed back into life. They had to replace the bottom pulley overnight and were back on full song on Saturday.
Gareth Humphreys/Aaron Mallin finished the event, despite rolling their Stratos Motorsport Cooper S on Friday night.
Action from the Manx Rally, which was broadcast live, is available to view for free on the Special Stage TV Facebook and YouTube channels, plus specialstage.tv.
Rounds 3 of the 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship is the Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally (23/24 May).
Proflex Manx Rally – top 10 registered 2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship finishers:
1. Jason Pritchard/Phil Clarke (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)….1hr 40mins 56.0secs
2. Mark Kelly/Will Atkins (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5)….1hr 41mins 46.9secs
3. Neil Roskell/Rob Fagg (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 41mins 52.1secs
4. Sam Touzel/Max Freeman (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 41mins 59.9secs
5. David Wright/Jane Nicol (Ford Fiesta R5)….1hr 42mins 22.1secs
6. Gareth Mimnagh/Barry McCarney (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 43mins 42.5secs
7. Steve Wood/Kenny Hull (Citroën C3 Rally2)….1hr 46mins 44.9secs
8. Gordon Montana Morrison/Charlotte McDowall (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 47mins 47.0secs
9. Huw James/Lewis Sim (Ford Escort Mk2)….1hr 47mins 52.1secs
10. Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan (Ford Fiesta Rally2)….1hr 48mins 00.7secs
2025 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship – top 6 drivers’ overall after Round 2:
1. Jason Pritchard….56pts
2. Neil Roskell….54pts
3. Sam Touzel….51pts
4. David Wright….49pts
5. Steve Wood….45pts
6. Brad Cole….41pts
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