Having missed the previous three rounds of this year’s World Rally Championship through injury, local hero Elfyn Evans has set his sights on the top step of the podium on his return to action in next week’s Wales Rally GB 3-6 October.
The 30-year-old from Dolgellau made a strong start to the year coming close to victory in Corsica before damaging his spine in a heavy landing during July’s non-championship event in Estonia.
“I actually finished the rally – there was some pain but it was only after visiting a specialist on my return to the UK that the full extent of the injury was revealed. They told me it was advisable not to keep driving for fear of making it worse,” explained an understandably frustrated Evans.
However, after 10 weeks out, the Welshman has now been passed fit to return in time for his home event after missing rounds in Finland, Germany and Turkey, thus slipping from fourth to ninth in the WRC standings.
“I can’t tell you how good it is to be back,” he effused. “Sitting on the sidelines has been a nightmare, but that’s done now and I’m only looking forward. And I’m really fired up to being back in the car at home.”
Adding to his anticipation, the winner of Wales Rally GB two years ago has a brand new #33 Ford Fiesta WRC for his first outing since his fourth place in Italy back in the summer.
Oulton opener
The FIA World Rally Championship blasts back to Oulton Park next thursday for the first time since 1993.
It makes its highly-anticipated return to the venue next week with a bespoke special stage set around the picturesque parkland venue as the opening test in this year’s WRGB.
The Oulton Park Stage will star the world’s finest rally drivers, and the WRC title battle is really heating up ahead of the championship’s UK round.
Estonia’s Ott Tänak is being closely tailed by French six-time champion Sébastien Ogier in the standings so it’s all to play for ahead of Oulton Park’s evening entertainment and historic rally cars show as well.