Ulster win makes Irish hatrick for GEMsport
Rising rally driver Elfyn Evans reinforced his potential at the weekend with an overall win in the Fiesta SportingTrophy in Ireland.
The 19 year old produced a mature and controlled drive to take maximum points in the Ulster National Rally – his third asphalt win of the season. He was also an outstanding third overall in the rally in his hustings.com Fiesta.
Dolgellau-based Elfyn now leads the Irish asphalt and the UK gravel championships as the series both enter their final stages.
“This was an extremely important win for us,’’ said Elfyn who was again co-driven by Gareth Roberts. “The car was perfect and our only problem was driving on slicks when the rain came down but everyone was in the same position,’’ said Elfyn.
There was also successes in Ulster for team boss Gwyndaf Evans who finished an impressive third in the British Rally Championship having been recalled to drive for the works Mitsubishi team to compete in the UIster International Rally.
“I’m delighted with Elfyn’s result which was achieved in some very difficult conditions,’’ said Gwyndaf. “Elfyn was up against championship rival Alastair Fisher in his home event which is never an easy situation.’’
Elfyn and Fisher traded fastest times in the early stages of the rally but Elfyn eased ahead then Fisher picked up a driveshaft problem early on the Saturday.
It was a lead Elfyn maintained to the finish ramp despite changeable weather conditions. “Elfyn managed to keep his head and produce a confident, controlled drive to gain maximum points.’’
There was less joy for GEMsport team mate Meilyr Evan who was competing in the Ulster International Rally. His rally ended prematurely on the third stage of the event when he hit a telegraph pole and the damage was too serious for Meilyr and co-driver Andrew Edwards to continue.
“It was disappointing for Meilyr and Andrew not to gain as much international experience as we had hoped,’’ said Gwyndaf. “The focus now is on getting the cars ready for the next rounds.’’
The GEMsport team is now in for a busy few weeks to prepare the hustings.com Fiestas for a hectic weekend at the end of September when the teams will compete on the Saturday on the gravel of the McRae Stages in Scotland before a dash across to Ireland for the asphalt Cork Rally on the Sunday.
