Evans follows dad onto world rally stage for Wales Rally GB

For many 18 year olds, the burning questions next weekend (Nov 29-Dec 2) will be which pub to visit, whether to watch football on TV and what’s for Sunday lunch. But for Elfyn Evans, his dilemmas will be focused on which tyres will work best in South Wales and how fast he can drive his Ford Fiesta in the forest without crashing.

Elfyn is one of the youngest competitors taking part in Wales Rally GB – Britain’s round of the world rally championship – a three day high speed test of car and crew around the forests of South Wales – and one of the sport’s toughest challenges.

And for Elfyn, the prospect of competing on the world stage is something he is relishing especially as he will be competing against his dad Gwyndaf – a former British Rally Champion and Wales Rally legend.

“It’s tremendous to be given the opportunity to compete this year and although Dad is much higher up the field and in a more powerful, four wheel drive Mitsubishi, it will be great to compete on such a high profile event together,” said Elfyn. “I remember dad taking part when I was really young and never thought I would have the opportunity to compete this year.”

The youngster is one of the country’s rising rally stars and this season finished an impressive third overall in the highly competitive Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy. Elfyn is also one of the chosen drivers in the MSA British Rally Academy – an organisation dedicated to helping youngsters move ahead in the sport.

With support from tyre giant Hankook Elfyn, and his co-driver Richard Edwards, are being given the opportunity to shine on the Welsh Stages in the event which gets underway in Cardiff with a ceremonial start on November 29 before three days of high speed forests tests in South Wales.

Elfyn will also have the opportunity to wow up to 20,000 spectators in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the venue for a high profile spectator stage on the Saturday evening – and a focal point for friends, family and sponsors to see the youngster in action.

“So many people have said they will be down to support us both including guests from the Trefeddian Hotel at Aberdyfi and Hankook and I think the whole experience is going to be amazing.’’

If competing against his father was not unusual enough, in another twist, Elfyn will also have a strong tyre link with his dad. Last year Gwyndaf was a key driver for the Hankook rally team and involved in developing and testing the kind of forest tyres Elfyn will be using on his Fiesta.

“It’s a really weird thought that Dad was the man behind these Hankook tyres but we have been testing them in preparation for the rally and he seems to have done a good job!’’

Hankook motorsports manager said he was delighted to have the Evans name back on a Hankook car. “Gwyndaf was a superb driver for us in the British Rally Champions and his tyre development work was invaluable,’’ said Mike.

“I have been watching Elfyn’s progress this year and his speed and maturity have really been impressive so he is the ideal candidate to carry the Hankook colours on the world stage. And if he can follow in the footsteps of Gwyndaf then he is going to be a real star.’’

When the rally gets underway Elfyn says he will be concentrating on trying to set a steady pace on the stages – with the ultimate aim of proving that he can be competitive against other Fiestas. “We have covered some of the stages this year and I feel comfortable in the car but running at the back of the field means it’s going to be really rough for us which will not help our pace,’’ said Elfyn.

With the car now fully prepared by Gwyndaf Evans Motors in Dolgellau, the team is raring to begin the challenge ahead. The rally starts in Cardiff on Thursday November 29 before 17 high speed stages taking in the forests of South Wales and a spectator stage in the Millennium Stadium.