Toyota GAZOO Racing star Jari-Matti Latvala and Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy & Infrastructure, Ken Skates, uncovered a Toyota GT86 sports car in the prize-winning livery of local school pupil Rheinallt Jones at Deeside Rally Village today.
Twelve-year-old Rheinallt – a Year 8 student at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Anglesey – was the creative force behind the winning effort, with his striking patriotic dragon design proving to be the most popular amongst the hundreds of entries received in the Wales-wide competition.
The car arrived at Deeside after a short stop-off at Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni on Tuesday, where it drew many an admiring glance from fellow pupils and Headmaster Clive Thomas, who joined Rheinallt for the public unveiling at Deeside today in front of the world’s leading motor sport media.
“I’m very proud that my design won the competition,” enthused Rheinallt, who was additionally presented with a 1:18 scale model of his liveried car and an artist’s impression of the GT86 signed by Toyota GAZOO Racing WRC drivers Latvala, Juho Hänninen and Esapekka Lappi as well as Team Principal, four-time WRC Champion and Tommi Mäkinen.
“I tried to think of what would look cool and came up with the red dragon on the Welsh flag and then changed the shape to fit the car. I went through multiple designs and it took about a week to settle on the final one. I’m a big rallying and motor sport fan in general, so I’m really excited to be here with my friends and family and am looking forward to taking them along to see some of the action.
The car – kindly provided by Toyota UK – will remain on show in the free-to-enter Rally Village throughout the weekend in front of the ‘Big Bang’ Industry Awareness STEM exhibition, which will provide inspiration for more than 1,500 visiting students studying key STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects at educational establishments throughout Wales and Cheshire today and tomorrow.