Rally champion Elfyn Evans gets heros welcome in home village of Dolgellau

ByCraig Duggan

BBC Wales, Reporting fromDolgellau

New world rally champion Elfyn Evans has been given a hero’s welcome by hundreds of supporters at a celebration event in his home county.

The driver from Dinas Mawddwy in Gwynedd drove his Toyota world rally car from the village to a stage in the middle of nearby Dolgellau, before meeting fans for autographs and photographs.

The celebrations ended with a driving exhibition by Evans – where he took First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth for a spin – in the high-powered car around Dolgellau’s main car park.

Evans became the first Welsh driver to become world champion, and during the event, he thanked the fans who had supported him since he started his career as a teenager.

Evans said he felt “very lucky and honoured” that the event was arranged, and hoped his success would build “some awareness of the sport”.

He added he was taken aback by the cheering from pupils.

“Of course we’re used to it on events, but to have it at home is a bit surreal in a way,” he said.

“It’s a small community, obviously everyone around my age knows me as Elfyn so there’s no fuss.

“But maybe for the kids they’re only used to seeing me on TV so it’s a bit of a different reception.”

But he said being champion wouldn’t change much in his day to day life.

“Life at home is exactly the same, we still have the same battles to get the kids to school every morning as any other family,” he said.

“I will continue to give my best, current or past form won’t alter that. I’m still hungry to try and achieve more in the sport and my approach won’t change.”

Wales’ First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth was among the supporters at the celebration event and said Evans was “a true champion”.

“To become a world champion is no mean feat,” he said.

“He has shown such consistency, such quality over the years – came so close, we felt his pain year after year.

“I had a feeling this year he could do it, and now we are seeing what this means not just to his home area but to the whole of Wales. A true champion a true hero here too,” ap Iorwerth said.

Son of former rally driver Gwyndaf Evans, Elfyn – before this year’s victory – had finished runner-up in the world championship five times.

The World Rally Championship sees teams battle across multiple events, and various countries and surfaces.

It is one of motorsport’s most spectacular and demanding disciplines, taking drivers and cars to the limit across some of the world’s most challenging terrain – from snow and ice to gravel, asphalt and extreme heat.

During the final rally of this season in Sardinia, it looked like Evans’ main rival and teammate Oliver Solberg would deny him the title once again.

But two corners from the finish line on the last stage of the rally, Solberg slid off the track, sparking jubilation amongst Elfyn Evans’s fans.

As part of the celebrations, Evans visited his former school Ysgol Bro Idris earlier on Thursday, where he met pupils and teachers.

Esme and Lois, both 12, said the experience was “amazing”.

Esme said she felt “so lucky” that the world champion had visited.

“We’re such a small place, but we have such amazing people here,” she added.

Louie, 13, met him during the event and “spoke about how much the car was worth and how it felt to see him come first”.

He watched him win, and said “it’s shows what Wales can do”.

Oscar, 13, liked Evans’ car, which was on display at the school.

“I’m proud of him for doing what he’s done, and he deserves more I reckon.”

The school visit was followed by the event in Dolgellau’s Eldon Square, where crowds had gathered despite the persistent rain.

Most of the supporters were local, but some had travelled significant distances to be at the event.

When Elfyn Evans spoke from the podium, he thanked his family for supporting him throughout his career, saying his grandfather had “taught me to drive probably far too early”.

Wyn Williams from Llanrwst and Neil Pringle from Betws-y-Coed were in Sardinia when Evans clinched the championship.

Williams said the celebration was “the icing on the cake after being in Sardinia”.

Pringle added that the evening was “fantastic” and that the first minister’s presence “shows what this means to Wales”.

“This is for Elfyn, his family and the country.”

Heledd Edwards travelled from Talerddig to Dolgellau and described Elfyn’s perseverance as an inspiration.

Several members of Elfyn’s family were also in the crowd. His aunt, Lowri Edwards, had travelled from Glan Conwy, saying she was immensely proud to have a world champion in the family.

“We’re absolutely thrilled, to be honest. He’s come so close and been terribly unlucky, finishing second five times – we’re absolutely thrilled.”

Dolgellau Town Council helped organise the celebration, with Deputy Mayor Nia Wyn Evans, saying: “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to be able to welcome Elfyn back as a world champion; there’s a real buzz in the town.”

Evans’ victory comes at the end of an era for the high-powered Rally1 cars.

From next season, the world rally championship is introducing new technical regulations which aim to encourage new manufacturers to compete in more affordable and sustainable vehicles.

It will be a new challenge for the drivers and their teams, as Evans sets out to defend his title.