Local schoolboy Sam Scharer aged just 10 from Ysgol Bro Gwydir School, Llanrwst, Conwy, won the nationwide competition to design a striking livery for a sports car at last week’s Wales Rally GB.
The resulting Toyota GT86 sportscar wrapped in Scharer’s prize-winning sea-themed design was publicly unveiled in Llandudno on the eve of this year’s Wales Rally GB, the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
Adding to the occasion, the covers were pulled off by Toyota GAZOO Racing WRC star Kris Meeke. The multiple WRC round winner was joined by Gwenllian Roberts, the Welsh Government’s Chief Regional Officer for North Wales.
Scharer, whose striking patriotic design was selected from hundreds of entries in the UK-wide competition was also present to savour the special occasion. He first saw the embodiment of his design earlier in the week when the GT86 visited his school where it drew admiration from both staff and students.
“It’s just amazing to see the car,” enthused a delighted Sam. “I have always loved cars and really like sea, so I just put the two together. It’s awesome to have Kris Meeke here and I love the model car. It will go on my shelf in my bedroom next to the Ferrari I have.”
“We are all incredibly proud,” said Acting Headteacher Aron Jones. “Obviously Sam is the big, big winner but as a school we are also winners as we get to see this fantastic design that Sam has created on the Toyota. To have it here with us at the school in Llanrwst was just unbelievable. It’s a fantastic competition getting Sam and hundreds of other young people excited by design, engineering and technology curriculum subjects – all that goes into a sport such as Wales Rally GB.”
