WRC
Evans enjoys hero’s welcome at Dolgellau homecoming
Elfyn Evans received a hero’s welcome in Dolgellau on Thursday (15 October) as supporters braved the rain to celebrate Wales’ first WRC drivers’ champion.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver arrived in Eldon Square at the wheel of his GR Yaris Rally1 before meeting fans, signing autographs and posing for photographs.
The celebrations came less than two weeks after Evans and co-driver Scott Martin secured their first world titles in a dramatic final-stage showdown at Rally Italia Sardegna.
© British Rally Media
Earlier in the day, Evans visited Ysgol Bro Idris, where pupils welcomed him and had the chance to see his Toyota up close.
“To have it at home is a bit surreal in a way,” he told BBC Wales.
Evans, who comes from nearby Dinas Mawddwy, explained that taking the car to the school was a chance to give youngsters a taste of the WRC. With Wales no longer hosting a championship round, he wanted pupils to see more of the Rally1 machine than they could on television.
The evening concluded with a demonstration at the Marian car park, with Wales’ First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth joining Evans in the passenger seat.
Supported by Dolgellau Town Council and Gwynedd Council, the homecoming brought together family, friends and fans who had followed Evans’ progress to the top of the sport.
Evans had finished championship runner-up five times before finally taking the crown on 4 October, becoming the first British driver to win the title since Richard Burns in 2001.
© British Rally Media
