Welsh rally team GEMsport was back on the podium at the weekend collecting a valuable points haul in the Pirelli National Rally – the second round of the Fiesta SportingTrophy.

Young Elfyn Evans finished second overall in the championship and was delighted to be on the podium after a tough drive in the Kielder Forest complex while team mate Meilyr Evans finished inside the top ten.

With two rounds now complete Elfyn lies third overall and Meilyr seventh in only his first year in this championship.

Team boss Gwyndaf Evans said he was delighted with the speed and maturity the drivers displayed on the event with both setting fastest stage times during the day.

“This was an important event for the team,’’ said Gwyndaf. “Last year Elfyn rolled on this rally so to finish second this time was excellent and Meilyr was heading for a podium finish and set his first fastest time in the series with his early speed but was slowed by a series of punctures.’’

With less than two weeks until the team is back in action – for the third round of the Irish Fiesta SportingTrophy - Gwyndaf said he was delighted that both cars performed faultlessly and emerged from the rally unscathed.

“Time is tight between events at the moment and we need all the time possible for routine preparation work before rallies – and to change suspension settings for the asphalt rallying in Ireland.’’

GEMsport heads to Killarney for the next round of the Irish Championship on May 4 before a return to the gravel on the Severn Valley Rally in Wales at the end of May.