Having already reached the rostrum twice in 2015 – in Argentina in April and following a scene-stealing performance in Corsica earlier this month – Elfyn Evans is gearing up for a hat-trick in front of his home fans at Wales Rally GB from November 12-15.
Dolgellau-based Evans has truly broken through at the pinnacle of international rallying this season and he heads into this weekend’s Rally of Spain closely matched with Kris Meeke in the battle to finish the campaign as best-placed British driver.
Their duel will play out in the Welsh forests next month, where – having finished fourth and fifth respectively in 2014 – both Evans and Meeke will be chasing a popular podium appearance.
Evans looks ahead to the biggest weekend of his year, behind the wheel of his M-Sport World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC car.
How are you feeling ahead of Wales Rally GB next month?
“I’m really looking forward to the event; having the opportunity to compete on home soil as part of the WRC is always special and the support I get from the fans is incredible. I can’t wait!”
What does it mean to you to compete on home turf?
“It’s difficult to describe. In some ways it’s actually quite strange. Knowing so many people in the area in a non-rallying context, it’s a bit surreal to be ‘going to work’ there at more than 120mph! Both Gartheiniog and Dyfi run very close to where I grew up and to have the opportunity to compete so close to home is pretty unique.”
How would you describe the challenge of Wales Rally GB?
“The stages are fantastic. Everywhere else in the world we go, when there is rain and mud, there is practically no grip – but here that never seems to be a problem, meaning you can settle into a good rhythm and really attack the event and enjoy the whole experience.”
How well do you expect your Ford Fiesta RS WRC to perform in Wales?
“I’m confident the Fiesta will be strong in Wales. We’ve seen in the past it’s had good results on this rally and, whilst there are clearly still areas we can improve it on the gravel, we are working hard towards that goal and optimistic that we will make steps forward.”
As a local driver, do you have an advantage over your rivals?
“There probably used to be some truth in the benefit of ‘local knowledge’, but with many of the same stages used year-on-year and the majority of drivers having a lot of experience of the event, I’m not sure there’s any such thing as home advantage any more.”
What are your targets for the final round of the season?
“After Argentina and Corsica, I would obviously love to score my third WRC podium in Wales. Given the calibre of the opposition out there, it will be no mean feat, but I can promise you we will be giving it our all and that’s what we are aiming for.”
Fans wanting to see Evans, Meeke and the other WRC top guns in action in the legendary Welsh forests can take advantage of advanced ticket prices that represent the cheapest way to see the action.
The four-day World Rally Pass is the all-inclusive ticket for fans. It provides access to all the individual Special Stages as well as Thursday's pre-event Shakedown. It is priced at £99 for adults (or just £1 for accompanied children aged 9-15) and comes with a hard card pass and lanyard, plus an event programme valued at £9.
Forest Passes offer a similar level of flexibility as the World Rally Pass but just for an individual day of the event. Again they include an official programme and can be purchased in advance for just £25 – entry to a Single Stage on the day will cost £30.
Tickets for Saturday’s family-friendly RallyFest at Chirk Castle are available now for £25 with an even greater discount being offered to families. Full ticket information can be found on the WalesRallyGB.com website.
For further updates, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @WalesRallyGB or join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb using #WRGB.
Please click here to view a video of Wales Rally GB gearing up for November. Electronic copies of this video are available upon request.
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About Wales Rally GB
Since its inception in 1932, the International Rally of Great Britain has been run 70 times. Enforced stoppages have included World War 2, Suez Crisis (1957) and Foot and Mouth (1967). It is one of only two events (along with Finland) to have retained its status as both a qualifying and scoring round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) since the championship was established in 1973.
Wales Rally GB is the 13th and final round of this year’s WRC and is organised and promoted by International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS), the commercial arm of the Motor Sports Association, the governing body of UK motor sport. Branded as Wales Rally GB since 2003 when the Welsh Government became the principal funding partner, the rally is based out of a central Service Park in Deeside with competitive stages throughout north and mid Wales. It was awarded the Best Event (Large) accolade at the National Tourism Awards for Wales 2015.
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