Success for Evans jnr on home ground with podium finish in Wales

Young Elfyn Evans reinforced his position as one Wales’ rising rally hotshots with an outstanding performance on home soil in the Severn Valley Clubmans Rally.

The 18 year old from Dinas Mawddwy, son of Welsh wizard Gwyndaf Evans, is this year contesting the Fiesta Sporting Trophy and finished third overall in The Sun Virgin Money Fiesta.

It was the youngster’s second podium place in two rallies – with success in the Builth Wells-based Severn Valley at the weekend proving his pace both on gravel in the forests of mid-Wales and on the asphalt stages of the Isle of Man last month.

“We were delighted with another podium place which puts us in fifth place in the championship,’’ said Elfyn. “It’s so important to be fast on both the gravel and asphalt stages so to have been third overall on both surfaces is really encouraging for me.’’

Six high speed stages faced the 19 crews in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy – one of the most competitive proving grounds for up and coming drivers.

“The stages were really quite tricky and conditions very hot and dusty but we quickly settled into a steady pace and apart from a slow puncture on one of the stages we had a trouble-free run,’’ said Elfyn who is co-driven by the experienced Richard Edwards.

Next on the agenda is a return to action in the Welsh forests, next month the championship heads further south for the Swansea Bay Rally – a challenge Elfyn is already looking forward to contesting.

“This year is a steep learning curve for us but we have been gradually building up confidence and I was really pleased to be setting more consistent stage times at the weekend and will certainly be looking to build on this in Swansea next month.’’

In addition to The Sun and Virgin Money, Elfyn is also backed by Mile End Service Station, Garwood Motorsport Services and Trefeddian Hotel at Aberdyfi while the car has been built and prepared by Gwyndaf Evans Motors.

Fiesta Sporting Trophy Drivers Championship

1 Jonathan Greer        93 points

2 Tom Walster                        85 points

3 Alastair Fisher          70 points

4 Liam Regan             61 points

5 Elfyn Evans              60 points