By Paul Evans
Meirion Evans unveiled a brand new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 that he’ll drive in this year’s Probite British Rally Championship (BRC) at a launch ceremony held at the magnificent Rolls of Monmouth Golf Club.
The first Yaris rally car to arrive in the UK will be prepared and run by the Llanwrda-based double BRC Teams’ champions Melvyn Evans Motorsport.
Co-driven by Jonathan Jackson, Evans will debut the car at this weekend’s opening BRC round, the Legend Fires North West Stages.
The Yaris will carry the iconic Castrol-Toyota rally livery – and to mark the return of this much-loved colour scheme, the ex-Carlos Sainz Castrol Toyota GT-Four ST185 owned by Nicky Grist was on display at the launch.
Jonathan Jackson (l) and Meirion Evans (r) with the new Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. Pic: Black Mountains Media.
Grist won the 1993 RAC Rally in a very similar car co-driving for Juha Kankkunen, which was one of the Abergavenny rally legend’s 21 WRC victories.
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A second Yaris Rally2 will arrive in Wales in a few weeks and be driven by Chris Ingram and co-driver Alex Kihurani.
“This opportunity is the most exciting one I’ve had in my career to date,” said Evans.
“For us as a team to be trusted by Toyota Gazoo Racing to bring the first Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 into the UK means a lot to us and to re-establish the iconic Castrol Toyota link and livery is phenomenal, not only for us but for rallying in this country.
“To have Chris [Ingram] as part of the team is fantastic.
“We have been friends since we were both very young, so to get the opportunity to finally work together and represent a brand like Castrol is something we are both excited for.
“It will be a bit of a change for me having driven a Polo for the last few years, but we will try to adapt as quickly as possible to the Yaris so that we can chase results from the outset in what is undoubtedly the strongest field the BRC has seen in over ten years.”
“It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to drive in Castrol colours in the prestigious British Rally Championship in the latest Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, prepared by the esteemed British team Melvyn Evans Motorsport,” added Ingram.
“The British Rally Championship’s announcement that it will be covered by ITV will provide a huge boost to UK motorsport and our partners.
“To represent such an iconic brand is a huge opportunity and I am going to give it my best shot. Including my team-mate Meirion Evans, we are going to face serious competition from some of the UK and Ireland’s best drivers.
“No driver in history has ever won both the British Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship, so that is my ultimate ambition for the season ahead.”
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