Three-time Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Champions Jason Pritchard and Phil Clarke return to the series on the Manx National Rally (8–9 May), where they will be aiming for a record-breaking sixth victory.
It will be Jason’s first appearance in the BTRDA sealed-surface series since the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally in June 2025. Since then, his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 has had to be re-shelled, meaning that the Builth Wells driver has had very little seat time in the car over the past 10 months.
Even so, with such an impressive record on the Isle of Man, Jason is sure to start as one of the favourites.
Victory on the Manx will be far from easy, however, as he’ll be up against defending Protyre Asphalt champions Sam Touzel/Max Freeman (Smart Scaffolding/Trade Centre UK Ford Fiesta Rally2), Brad Cole/Jamie Vaughan (Hydroline Solutions Fiesta Rally2), Niall McGonigle/Caolan McKenna (Volkswagen Polo GTI R5), Ian Forgan/Callum Young (Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2), Aled Wyn Morgans/Jack Bowen (Aberystwyth Motorsport Fiesta Rally2) and 2022 Protyre Asphalt champion Steve Wood, who will be co-driven by Kenny Hull in a Citroën C3 Rally2 – to name but a few.
Around 80 registered Protyre Asphalt crews will make the trip to the IOM.
“I’m looking forward to the Manx,” says Jason.
“It’s a long event with around 130 stage miles, and I prefer the endurance element compared to shorter sprint rallies.
“It’s always enjoyable competing on the Isle of Man. We go rallying to have fun, and when I’m enjoying it, I’m usually at my best.
“It will be a different Manx this year, with the event moving from the TT Grandstand to the north of the island, new variations of stages and sections that have not been used for a long time.
“We did the Yorkshire Dales Rally last month, which was my first event back in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 after we had to re-shell it. We’re also planning to do the Dixies Challenge Rally as a bit of a shakedown before the Manx.
“With the new Motorsport UK regulations in place, we’ll all be running the 32mm restrictor. We had a bit of a power disadvantage last year, but this time it should be more of a level playing field for the Rally2 cars.
“I’m looking forward to getting back out in the Protyre Asphalt Championship. It’s a well-run series and we plan to contest as many of the remaining rounds as possible.”
Jason is supported by North Road Garage, Guttercrest, Pirelli, Leominster Powdercoats and Fuchs Lubricants.
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