Twenty one year old Meirion Evans is set to make a return to four-wheel driver machinery as he steps up to a Citroen DS3 R5 for the remainder of the 2016 season!
After a troubled opening half to the season in the British Rally Championship aboard a Ford Fiesta R2T, the decision was taken over the summer break to make the switch to the latest R5 machinery, in what will be a long term plan for the Lampeter youngster.
Previously used by Belgian youngster Guillaume Dilley, the DS3 R5 benefits from the latest Evolution package from Citroen Racing and will be run by the highly successful Melvyn Evans Motorsport team. Meirion’s usual co-driver Jonathan Jackson will remain alongside as the team make their debut with the car at the final round of the Irish Tarmac Championship – the Cork 20 International Rally at the beginning of October.
Meirion is no stranger to four wheel drive after a successful campaign aboard a Subaru Impreza N12b in 2014 but, following a two year stint in two wheel drive machinery, the former Junior 1000 winner recognizes the challenges that lay ahead;
“Obviously it’s a dream to get the opportunity to drive such a car, but following the year we’ve had up to now we looked at all possible avenues before the deal was done for the Citroen to make sure we did the right thing, realising this is a longer term plan. After a difficult few months, I think we’ve done the right thing in totally re-setting and taking a couple of months out of competing, we’re hungry again and raring to go in the DS3 R5!”
Meirion and the team are pleased to also announce that they will be launching their new machine at the forthcoming Rallyday show on the 24th September. Based at the Castle Combe race circuit, the event will provide Meirion with the chance to get important seat time in the car prior to making his competitive debut in the car just a week later in Cork. The Irish event being the vital first step in the pairs long term plans for the car;
“It’s exciting to be able to showcase the car at an event like Rallyday, it attracts a lot of people and the car will hopefully draw some attention too being the only one in mainland UK at the moment!
We have an entry in for the Cork 20, we scored probably our best ever result there in the R3 Citroen last year but the goal will be somewhat different this year. We have to be realistic, we’re going to go there to focus on our own rally and pick up as much info as we can to carry forward with us. Yes I’m a competitive guy but the guys in the Irish Tarmac Championship are all very quick so we will stick to our own thing and not pressurise ourselves”
For further information on Meirion’s career please visit www.meirionevans.com. Melvyn Evans Motorsport have a number of cars for hire in 2017, ranging from a Subaru Impreza S12b to the latest Ford Fiesta R2T, for further details please visit www.melvynevansmotorsport.com
