Evans striving to repeat last year’s Rally Sweden success

Wales’s Elfyn Evans is hoping for another winter World Rally Championship win on this weekend’s Arctic Rally Finland. Evans and co-driver Scott Martin took their first win together with Toyota 12 months ago on Rally Sweden.

The WRC’s snow rally last year provided less than desirable conditions with mild weather thawing many of the stages.

“Arctic Rally Finland will be brand new for most of the drivers,” said Evans. “Naturally, we want to strive for a similar result to Sweden last year, but we have to wait and see how things go.

“The conditions are likely to be different to what we’ve seen in Sweden in recent years, when there’s been very little ice or snow.

“So that’s been something to consider in our testing, where it’s been really cold. We’ve also had to adapt the set-up for the new Pirelli tyre.

“Similar to Monte-Carlo we have no prior experience with the tyre, but it’s a bit more straightforward because we only have one choice for this rally.

“So we’ve been able to focus our efforts on that.

“Overall, the feeling is good and I’m looking forward to the rally.”

The British pairing secured their best Rally Monte-Carlo result last time out, finishing second behind eight-time event winner Sebastien Ogier.

As a result, Toyota’s lead drivers will have the challenge of opening Arctic Rally Finland’s stages on Friday.

“We just have to wait and see how the conditions are for us opening the road,” explained Ogier. “As usually this can play a big role on snow rallies like this.

“After last year I know to expect tough competition from my team-mates in these conditions – I’m sure Elfyn will be very motivated and Kalle [Rovanpera] probably even more so on home ground – but also from the other teams as well.

“So I expect it will be a difficult rally to win, but I’m up for the challenge.”

Photos courtesy of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT