A near-perfect score saw Jason Pritchard become the 2026 Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Rally Champion.
It’s happened before. In 2018 he scored four maximums and one second place finish to clinch his first title – and that’s exactly what he did this year to claim his fourth.
But what made this year very different was that he had to come from behind to do it. From way behind, in fact – 17th in the points standings after Round 3.
Having dropped the mandatory two scores in the first three events, due to business and family commitments. With only second-place points from the Manx National Rally on the board, one slip on any of the remaining four events would have ended Jason’s title aspirations.
It was a monumental task for the North Road Garage/Guttercrest/Pirelli Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver.
What followed, however, was a masterclass in how to win a championship.
Maximum points on the Dunoon Presents Argyll Rally, Ynyscynon MOT Centre Tour of Epynt and R Kings Down Rally – where he was partnered for the first time by Rog Fagg, as his regular co-driver Phil Clarke was at a family wedding – put Jason in a commanding position heading into the Hills Ford Stages finale.
With others still needing to drop scores, Jason only had to finish inside the top 10 to become champion.
But he also had to finish.
And on the tight, twisty, fast and unfamiliar closed Shropshire Hills country roads, Jason remained inch perfect.
He finished second overall and took another maximum Protyre Asphalt points score – and with it the title.
It’s the first time a Toyota has won the Protyre Asphalt title. It’s also the first time since 2015 that a Ford hasn’t won the championship, and only the second time since 2009.
“Winning the Protyre Asphalt Championship title wasn’t on the cards this year because on my business commitments,” said Jason.
“I missed the first round and then the Jim Clark, so that left us 46 points adrift after three rounds. But before Epynt my Dad said it’s still possible to win the championship,’ so we ended up doing all the remaining events.
“It certainly made everything more difficult because I had to finish every rally. I couldn’t take any major risks, and I had to use my head at every event. One small slip and that would have been it. I couldn’t afford a puncture or anything.
“The Tour of Epynt was the turning point. That was my first outright win in the Toyota, and we set fastest time on all eight stages. After that I began to believe that winning the championship just might be possible.
“Thankfully, we didn’t have an issue all year. I don’t think we had a spin or overshot anything. It’s just been clean and tidy – no risks, just enjoying the car.
“We made some set-up changes as recommended by Toyota and they worked for me straight away I felt more comfortable and confident with the car. I’ve loved driving the car.
“It’s never easy just to finish, though.
“On the Hills Ford Stages, I thought it was going to be hard just to get a clean run because the roads were so narrow and mucky. You could easily slide off and damage the car, and many did. I just backed right off and used my head.
“People said, ‘Do you feel the pressure?’ but I’ve been here before. You just take it one event at a time, one stage at a time.
“I really like doing the Protyre Asphalt Championship because it’s not too much time away and it is very good for business. I’ve had lots of customers come into North Road Garage and say congratulations, so it’s nice that the series and our achievements get noticed far and wide.
“I’m going to enjoy this moment. We’ll try and do one or maybe two more before the end of the year and then decide what to do next year.
“I have to say a big thank you to Mikey, Steve and Toyota Gazoo Racing, who’ve given me the package to perform on the stages. My sponsors North Road Garage Toyota, Guttercrest, John Jones Groundworks, Pirelli, Fuchs lubricants and Leominster Powdercoat for supporting me this year. Phil and Rob for guiding me through the stages, and finally my family for always supporting me.”
Be the first to comment