By Paul Evans

Last year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB winner, Elfyn Evans, has given his backing to the new-look 2018 route – which will use new legislation to suspend the Road Traffic Act for authorised motor sport events, enabling stages to be linked and making the action even more accessible for spectators.

Evans did what all professional rally drivers want to do in one magnificent performance last year – win his first World Rally Championship event and win his home round of the series! The 29-year old Dolgellau driver will return this year as team-mate to five time world champion Sébastien Ogier in a works M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC, with his sights firmly set on repeating that victory.

Whilst the vast majority of the 208 miles of competition will take place in the forests of north and mid Wales, the event will end with a truly spectacular Tarmac stage around the Great Orme and through the streets of Llandudno – finishing on the Promenade. And it was on these streets where Evans lifted the coveted gold Peall Trophy last year, as winner of Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.

“Last year’s Wales Rally GB was really special for me – an event I’ll remember for a long time to come,” said Evans. “This year everyone is working hard to make it even more spectacular with lots of classic stages and even more opportunities for people to see these amazing cars in action.

“It looks like a great route with the inclusion of the Orme combined with all the fantastic forest stages. The finale through the streets of Llandudno will be very, very spectacular. There was an incredible atmosphere in town for the Ceremonial Finish last year and, now with the last stage finishing on the Promenade, it will just add to the incredible excitement. I always look forward to competing on home soil in Wales, and this year is no different.”

The 2018 Wales Rally GB takes place on October 4-7.