Evans JR to Race on ‘Evans Developed’ Hankook Tyres

For many 18 year olds, the burning questions next weekend will be which pub to visit, whether to watch football on TV and what’s for Sunday lunch. But for Elfyn Evans, his attention on the weekend and the days of November 29 to December 2 will be focused upon which Hankook 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 the race brings him into competition 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 18-year old is one of Britain’s rising rally stars, and this season finished 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 younger drivers move ahead in the sport. With support from Hankook, Elfyn and his co-driver Richard Edwards are being given the opportunity to shine during the event’s Welsh Stages, which gets underway in Cardiff with a ceremonial start on November 29 before three days of high speed forest tests in South Wales.

Evans junior will also have the opportunity to show off his skills 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 him 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.’’

And while it may be a rare occurrence to have father competing against son in such a high profile rally event, the connection does not end there – 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,” commented Elfyn. “But we have been testing them in preparation for the rally and he seems to have done a good job!’’

Hankook motorsports manager Mike Patterson 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,’’ he said. “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,’’ he said. 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.