Elfyn Evans tore his way through his home forests to build up a big overnight lead on Wales Rally GB.

The Dolgellau-born racer driver won three of Friday’s six special stages in mid Wales.

Evans had been billed as the pre-rally favourite due to his DMACK tyres and he set about proving that having been fifth in Thursday’s short stage at Tir Prince.

The 28-year-old leads by 24.6 seconds from Estonia’s Ott Tanak with France’s four-time world champ Sebastien Ogier 2.2secs further back in third.

The duo are both team-mates at M-Sport who look set to seal the Manufacturers’ Championship this weekend.

Evans is also bidding to win his first World Rally Championship event having finished twice already this season.

He would also be the first British driver to win their home rally since the late Richard Burns triumphed in 2000.

Speaking after the morning loop, where he won two stages, Evans said: “It’s all going well at the moment, but you never know how it’s going to work out.

“There’s a long way to go and it’s certainly not going to be plain sailing.”

Evans added another stage win in the afternoon on the second loop of the Myherin, Sweet Lamb and Hafren stages.

But he admitted he hoped the weather would get worse knowing that could give him even more of an advantage with his tyres.

He added: “Who knows what the weather will do – I hope this sunshine goes away. I don’t say that often.”