Osian Pryce To Make Delayed VW Rally Debut At Goodwood Tonight

By Paul Evans

Osian Pryce will drive a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 for the first time at the Goodwood SpeedWeek event, which starts tonight (Thursday).

The talented 27-year old Machynlleth born driver hasn’t competed since February, when he finished second (driving a Hyundai i20 R5) on the Cambrian Rally.

He had gone to Ireland to contest round two of the British Rally Championship, where he was geared up to make his debut in the Melvyn Evans Motorsport-run Polo GTI R5 – but the West Cork Rally was cancelled on the eve of the event.

And worse was to follow, as his challenge for the BRC title was thwarted when the entire series was cancelled shortly afterwards.

Seven spectacular sportscars to see at #gwspeedweek tomorrow!https://t.co/BlSwPq9cvY pic.twitter.com/re7QnpinjM

— Goodwood Road & Racing (@GoodwoodRRC) October 15, 2020

So after a very long wait, Pryce is back – contesting a rally which will be held within the Covid-19 compliant confides of the famous Goodwood Motor Circuit, with stages taking in the Northern and Southern loops, the track infield area, perimeter road and the tunnel under the track.

Co-driven by Jess Hockly, the event starts as night falls tonight.

“Goodwood SpeedWeek is an important event in more ways than one, as it’s the launch of my #OPRGLOBAL campaign,” says Pryce.

“With the 2020 rally season pretty much all cancelled because of Covid-19, now is the time to refocus and prepare for a full time return to rallying in 2021 – and it all starts today!

“I want to contest some high-profile events in a Rally 2 category car next year, and some prestigious historic rallies in iconic classic cars too – and I want to do that around the globe.

“#OPRGLOBAL signals the start of a major push to attract partners for the next adventure.

“And there is no better place to come out fighting again than at Goodwood, as it’s such an esteemed venue and SpeedWeek has attracted a star-studded entry, both in the rally and racing categories.”

SpeedWeek will be streamed live on the Goodwood website, with Dermot O’Leary, Rory Reid, Siân Welby and Mark Webber presenting the programme.

Supporting Osian this week are Omologato Watches, Pirelli and G&M Pryce Ltd.