By Paul Evans

Meirion Evans finished a magnificent seventh on the opening round of the British Rally Championship, the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – which was his first ever gravel event in a four-wheel drive car.

The 23-year old Rally Team UK supported driver started steadily, but increased his pace as his confidence grew.

Co-driven by Jonathan Jackson, Evans never put a foot wrong in his Melvyn Evans Motorsport-prepared Hyundai i20 R5 – which enabled him to benefit towards the end of the event when two crews ahead of him retired on the final stage, moving the Lampeter man up to his final finishing position when he returned to Llandudno. Even better, Evans was the sixth registered British Rally Championship driver home, securing eight series points.

“Having never driven a four-wheel drive car on gravel until the Thursday before the event, we knew there was a lot to learn,” said Evans. “We took it steady from the start and tried to build the speed which seemed to work, setting some quick times on the final few daylight stages. We struggled a bit in the dark with the lights being too high, but still managed to gain a few positions as the closing stages took their toll.

“All in all, I’m very pleased with our four-wheel drive debut on gravel with the Hyundai i20 R5. Seventh overall and sixth British Rally Championship crew home was a fantastic result for us considering the quality of the entry and our lack of experience with the car on gravel. I have to say it was nice to be back in the BRC!

“Special thanks to all the boys who put the hours in to get the car sorted in such a short space of time – and to all of our supporters for staying with us, JJ on the notes and to Rally Team UK for making this outing possible.”