By Paul Evans

It’s only a little over six weeks since Elfyn Evans won the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), but the Wales Rally GB victor has already started his preparations for the 2018 season – with a pre-Rally Monte Carlo test in the south of France.

January’s Monte Carlo is the traditional opening round of the WRC, although little of the action takes place in glitzy Monaco. Instead, crews head high up into the Alpes Maritimes, where ice, snow and dense cloud cover make it one of the most difficult asphalt rallies in the world.

Yet despite all the hazards, Elfyn has a good record – never failing to finish the event in four attempts, always finishing inside the top eight, winning the WRC2 category in 2016 and finishing a career-best sixth earlier this year.

Co-driven by Daniel Barritt, 2018 will be a very big year for the talented 28-year old driver from Dolgellau. Not only has Elfyn secured a place in the Manufacturers’ Championship winning M-Sport World Rally Team, driving a world-beating Fiesta WRC, he is also team-mate to reigning world champion Sébastien Ogier.

“It was good to get back behind the wheel, and really interesting to see the progress we’d made since the first test this time last year,” said Elfyn.

“We only had one day of testing, but managed to get a lot of good information that we can take forward to another two days of testing in the lead up to Rally Monte Carlo next month.

“It was nice to end the season with a good feeling, and I’m looking forward to the start of another busy year in 2018. Until then, it’s time to relax and enjoy a little break with family and friends.”

Rally Monte Carlo take place between 26‐28 January.