Elfyn Evans moved within a point of a top five place in the World Rally Championship after bagging his best result in Spain.

The Dolgellau born driver admitted he had a tough time getting the best from his tyres on the challenging mixed-surface in Rally Catalunya.

But he still finished seventh which sets him up for his home rally – Wales Rally GB – later this month.

The 28-year-old said:“We’ve not had the best of weekends and it has been a challenge in these conditions.

“We did the best job we could and overall it’s important to gather the information to move forward.

“It’s my home event next where the conditions will be different, so we need to concentrate on and prepare well for it.”

Evans debuted DMACK’s new gravel tyre on the event – based in Salou near Barcelona – on his M-Sport World Rally team Ford Fiesta WRC.

But the unusually high temperatures of over 30 degrees, mixed with abrasive roads, proved a stern test for the medium compound tyre.

Evans maintained a consistent pace and returned to service in Salou where a specially-extended service saw cars transformed to Tarmac specification for the final two days.

The action moved to the fast, flowing asphalt roads in the hills to the north of Salou as competitors switched to the DMT-RC22 tyre in hard H6+BB compound.

Evans continued his solid drive and, while other crews were side-lined after getting caught out on the many rough cuts, he cruised home to finish seventh.

Dick Cormack, DMACK managing director, said: “It has been a difficult event as we gambled a little with our new compounds to give Elfyn and M-Sport the best possible choices for Rally GB.

“Unfortunately, unlike last year, the conditions just didn’t work for us here this time and now we must focus completely on our home event.”