Pirelli Star Driver Elfyn Evans insists that he will not start Bulldog International Rally North Wales next month with an advantage over his rivals despite living 10 miles from the event’s landmark Dyfi stage.
The 22-year-old from Machynlleth in Powys, Wales, is ranked as one of the favourites for this year’s Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship title following his run to third overall on the season-opening Rallye Sunseeker back in February.
Driving a Subaru Impreza on Pirelli’s K6 gravel tyre, which is used as standard by all BRC competitors and is famed for its unique tread pattern and construction, Evans says the rally stages in Wales are some of the country’s finest but admits to having limited knowledge of driving on them in competition.
“The stages have a great flow and when you get a good rhythm it’s very satisfying,” said the Welshman. “You need to be driving well, have a good car set-up, a good set of pacenotes and obviously a good set of tyres. When this happens and you get into the zone you can set really good times. The problem is I’ve done more rallying on the Isle of Man than I have done at home so I definitely won’t have an advantage.”
Evans, who is contesting the BRC this year as his prize for winning the Pirelli Star Driver UK Shootout in 2010, plans to seek advice from his famous rallying father Gwyndaf before tackling the Welshpool-based event on April 1/2. Evans Sr is a former British rally champion and has vast knowledge of the Welsh forest tracks.
“Preparation is important for every rally so of course I’ll be getting some advice from my father,” said Evans. “As with all the events I do it’s very important to focus during the reconnaissance to get a good set of pacenotes.”
Evans says his podium finish on Rallye Sunseeker has given him a confidence boost ahead of his home event, which he will tackle alongside co-driver Andrew Edwards.
“It was a good start to the season but there’s a long way to go,” said Evans. “Everything is still pretty new to me Ð the car, my TEG Sport team, and four-wheel-drive. Until this season I’d only driven two-wheel-drive cars that were quite basic to set up. My Impreza needs a lot more input from me so it’s still something I’m learning. But I’ll be starting the event with the aim of doing my best to win.”
Bulldog International Rally North Wales is the second of seven British championship events in 2011. The event will be based at the Welshpool Livestock Market with the all-gravel stages run in North Wales over a competitive distance of 82 miles.
Action gets underway with a ceremonial start in the centre of Welshpool on Friday April 1 at 1830hrs. The stage action begins early on Saturday morning.
– Credit: Pirelli.