Brad Cole led the race for the Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Championship title after day one of the Hills Ford Stages.
Co-driven by Jamie Vaughan, the Somerset driver finished the four stages at Weston Park on Saturday ahead in his Trick Motorsport-prepared and East Budleigh Garage-run Hydroline Solutions Ford Fiesta Rally2.
“Let’s not get carried away, the real rally starts in the lanes tomorrow, but we’ve put ourselves in a good position confidence wise,” said Brad.
After 10.36 stage miles, Lee Edwards/Sam Spencer were just 2 seconds behind in their rear-wheel-drive Blakemore’s Autos/Evans Construction Ford Escort G3.
Ian Forgan/Chris Lees (Mercury Motorsport Fiesta Rally2) and John Stone/Rhys Stoneman (Legend Performance Engineering/Legend Fires Volkswagen Polo GTI R5) were tied in third position, with Rob Swann/Dylan Thomas a further second behind in their RA Swann/Blue Sky Luxury Fiesta WRC.
Jason Pritchard ended the day sixth in his Pirelli-shod North Road Garage/Guttercrest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Co-driven by Phil Clarke, the Builth Wells driver only needs to finish in the top 10 to take his fourth Protyre Asphalt title.
The only other driver who can win the title is Aled Wyn Morgans. He and co-driver Jack Bowen finished day one just 2 seconds behind Jason in their Aberystwyth Motorsport/OW’s Cabs Fiesta Rally2.
The action resumes on Sunday morning with five special stages around the Shropshire countryside. Each are repeated in the afternoon, before the 2026 Protyre Asphalt champion is crowned at the finish in Shrewsbury.
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