by Rob Wilkins


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MEILYR EVANS: CLICK HERE


Meilyr Evans will compete in the Fiesta Sporting Trophy Series in the UK and Ireland this season as part of Gwyndaf Evans' newly formed GEMsport team. The 18-year-old began his motorsport career as a successful trials bike rider, including a spell with KTM as a Youth Supermoto works driver in 2004. Last season though, he began rallying and won the Formula 1000 Gravel Championship. Crash.net Radio caught up with him recently at the Autosport International Show to find out about his hopes for the coming year...


Crash.net:
Meilyr, how thrilled are you ahead of this season?

Meilyr Evans:
It is so exciting. It is a big step up but I have got so much support behind me, with good sponsors and Gwyndaf [Evans – GEMsport boss] as well, who has so much experience. He can give me a lot of advice. I am really looking forward to it.

Crash.net:
Last year you did seven events, this season you will be doing twelve. That should help you progress a lot shouldn't it?

ME:
Yeah it is good and it should help me. I want to do as many events as possible really because I love being in the car. It is brilliant to have a 12-event campaign. It should be a brilliant year.

Crash.net:
What did you do before rallying?

ME:
I started on two wheels when I was younger and I did Supermoto with KTM in the junior cup in 2004. That was brilliant. But for years I have wanted to rally and once I was 17-years-old I built myself a car and got out there.

Crash.net:
What targets do you have for the season?

ME:
I want to progress. At the end of the day you learn a lot from each rally. But let's see what happens and where we end up.

Crash.net:
Do you have any aims though in terms of the championship and results on events?

ME:
You have got to go to every event aiming to finish first. But at the end of the day I am not going to push myself too far. I want to keep within the limit, especially for the first couple of events.

Crash.net:
Last year you did the Formula 1000 Gravel Championship. As such I assume the events in the FST in Ireland and those on asphalt will be that bit tougher?

ME:
They will be - but I was quite lucky I did an event in my father's car, a Mark 2 Escort, in Pembrey a while back and that was on tarmac. That was brilliant and so I have a little bit of experience behind me. I have done one event. There is of course though a lot to learn - and a lot more to come.

Crash.net:
What car did you use last year in the Formula 1000 Gravel Championship?

ME:
It was a Nissan Micra. It is a great car to learn in and to gain experience of how to drive without having too much power. But they still go quick, if you can drive them properly. This year of course I will use the Fiesta and it is a bit different to the Micra! [laughs]. There is a lot more power and everything is just better really. Every car is like that I suppose once you go up. It is a big change. It should be fun.

Crash.net:
After this year, where do you see yourself going?

ME:
You always set targets but getting there is a different thing. I will always try and give 100 per cent obviously to reach the top. I will try my best.


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH MEILYR EVANS: CLICK HERE