Castrol MEM Rally Team scored its second double podium finish in as many rounds of the 2026 British Rally Championship when Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 team-mates Meirion Evans/Dale Furniss and Osian Pryce/James Morgan finished second and third on the Borders Competitions Jim Clark Rally (22/23 May).
Meirion posted another fast and consistent performance, recording fastest time on SS2 and six second fastest stage times (five of them consecutively) in his Pirelli-shod Toyota during the two-day, 100 stage mile event.
The 30-year old Lampeter driver was third at the overnight halt, just 18.7 seconds away from the leaders (and eventual winners) Max McRae/Cameron Fair, despite starting one of Friday’s night-time stages with his Toyota’s lamp pod disconnected!
Meirion moved up to second place after the opening daylight stage on Saturday, which is where he stayed for the remainder of the event – netting another excellent haul of BRC points to strengthen his title challenge.
Osian led the event after setting the fastest time on the opening stage and went into the overnight halt (after SS4) in second position. But after the start of SS5 was delayed, the 2022 British Rally Champion was forced to launch into the Polwarth test on cold Michelin tyres – resulting in an overshoot. That alone wouldn’t have been too bad, but he couldn’t get the Toyota into reverse gear, leaving Osian stranded up an escape road for 25 seconds.
Osian’s aim for the remainder of the event was to consolidate his third place, and the 33-year old Machynlleth-born driver’s confidence was fully restored with fastest time on the 10th and final stage.
A win and a third ensures Osian remains at the top of the BRC drivers’ points table, while two second place finishes sees Meirion just four points behind.
Meirion Evans said: “We were really strong on the Jim Clark Rally last year, so we came here with hopes that we could fight for the win. We were close, but no cigar! I made a bit of a mistake leaving the lights disconnected for one of the night-time stages, but in fairness to Max [McRae] it wouldn’t have made the difference – but it would have put us a bit closer and put him under more pressure. Two second place finishes in the BRC so far this year is good. I just need to start winning now!”
Osian Pryce said: “It’s in the difficult moments that you have to make the most of what you can. We were fighting for the win but ended up having to consolidate the points available, and I’m not too disappointed with third given how things unfolded. We obviously hoped for more, because we didn’t come here to make up the numbers. The positives are that the car reached the finish in one piece, and we’ve learned a lot. We’re still leading the championship, so now the focus shifts to the next round and coming back fighting on the Grampian.”
