MacCrone forced out of Jim Clarkposted in RSCOT30 | 05 | 2014

    WELSH YOUNGSTER OSIAN PRYCE took an early grip of the Borders-based Jim Clark Rally by seizing a 4.1-second lead ahead of Irishman Daniel McKenna after the opening four stages in the latest round of the British Rally Championship. 

    But any hopes 24-year-old Scot John MacCrone (pictured) had of fighting for a win evaporated when the engine of his Castrol-liveried M-Sport Ford Fiesta R200 suffered terminal problems on tonight's second stage.

    MacCrone, the Isle of Mull youngster who has dominated the 1600cc two-wheel drive class this season in his Ford, was only given the green light to enter the Duns-based event on Tuesday. 

    His CA1 Sport crew had worked tirelessly over the last fortnight to rebuild his car's engine following the problems which also forced his retirement last time out on the Manx National Rally.

    "It's disappointing," MacCrone, who was only 1.4secs off the lead after the opening spectator special stage, watched by thousands of fans in the centre of Duns, said, "but we I guess it's just one of those motorsport things.

    Related: MacCrone gets Jim Clark green light

    "It's a pity though, because we were catching McKenna, the car immediately in front, as we went through the second stage: and he'd started 30-seconds ahead of us. But it's just one of those things."

    While McKenna led after the opening stage in his Citroen DS3, having pipped Pryce — in an identical Citroen DS3 — by a slender 0.4s, it was the Welshman who stepped up the pace.

    Pryce — the 21-year-old from Machynlleth, and winner of the opening round of the British Championship near Carlisle — was quickest through two of the next three stages to establish his 4.1s lead.

    The drivers tackle another 10 blisteringly fast Tarmac stages tomorrow, before the crews who have survived the 197.6 stages miles head for the finish and the podium ceremony in Kelso Town Square.

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    Jim McGill

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