Evans jnr battles weather for Swansea Bay Rally success

Rising Welsh rally driver Elfyn Evans has climbed into fourth position in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy after a steady performance on the Swansea Bay Rally at the weekend.

Despite treacherous weather conditions Elfyn and co-driver Richard Edwards brought The Sun Virgin Money Fiesta back to the finish in one piece and their reward was a move from fifth to fourth in the championship as rivals failed to beat the duo.

Weather conditions meant the event was reduced to four high speed tests in the forests to the north of Swansea but the pair maintained a steady pace throughout and finished the event fourth in the Fiesta Championship.

“The conditions were really tough this weekend with the wet weather meaning very slippy conditions on all of the stages,’’ said Elfyn.

“I would have liked to push a little harder but it would have been so easy to slide off into a ditch and picking up championship points and finishing in one piece were the priority.’’

He said that to complete the rally unscathed had been a relief and climbing a place in the championship an added bonus for a tough weekend.

“It’s important this year to gain experience on every single rally and the weather in South Wales was certainly a good introduction into how the rain can affect the condition of the stages,’’ said Elfyn. “Conditions were very slippy and muddy but I really enjoyed the stages which are used at the highest levels, crew will be using the same stages on Wales Rally GB later this year.’’

The 18 year old son of Welsh rally wizard Gwyndaf Evans from Dinas Mawddwy moves back on the asphalt next month when the Fiestas tackle the Mewla Rally.

As the longest rally on the calendar Elfyn and Richard will tackle 13 special stages covering 85 miles.

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.