Rising Welsh rally driver Elfyn Evans is looking for success in Wales this weekend (July 21) as the Fiesta SportingTrophy UK heads back into the Welsh Forests for the Swansea Bay Rally.
The 18 year old son of Welsh rally wizard Gwyndaf Evans has finished third overall in the last two rounds, in Wales and on the Isle of Man, and is hoping for a good finish again this weekend.
“Another podium finish would be great but we will really be concentrating on getting the Sun Virgin Money Fiesta back to the finish in one piece,’’ said Elfyn who is co-driven this year by the 2006 Fiesta winning co-driver Richard Edwards.
“I really enjoyed rallying in Wales on the Severn Valley Stages last month and it will be great to be back in action on Saturday,’’ said Elfyn who is also supported by the Trefeddian Hotel at Aberdyfi this year.
“Every event is a steep learning curve for us and although we are back in Wales the stages in the south will be different to those in mid-Wales both in terms of the terrain and the technical nature of the stages we are expecting this weekend.
“These are some of the stages used on Wales Rally GB at the end of the year so we are expecting tough conditions.’’
A recent gravel test by Elfyn who lives in Dinas Mawddwy has buoyed the team ahead of this weekend’s event with Gwyndaf impressed with his son’s speed and performance.
Gwyndaf, who is this weekend competing in the British Rally Championship on the Isle of Man, said Elfyn has matured both in terms of driving ability and technical knowledge of setting up the car for different rally conditions.
“Elfyn’s fifth overall in the championship so far this season is a just reward for some extremely good performances on gravel and asphalt and a similar drive at the weekend should reinforce this position.
“He has worked hard on his driving and ability to set the car up for the different tests ahead and we are all hoping for a successful weekend for Elfyn.’’
Elfyn and Richard are one of 18 Fiesta crews set to compete in the Swansea Bay Rally with five high speed tests in the forests north of Swansea ahead of them. They will tackle 44 miles of classic Welsh forests before a finish back in the city on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to the Sun and Virigin 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.
