Elfyn Evans Given Hero's Welcome in Hometown

Pulse Sports Team 12:05 - 16 October 2026

Elfyn Evans became the first Welsh driver to claim the World Rally Championship title and received a hero's welcome in his hometown of Dolgellau yesterday. Barring a few small Finnish towns, Dolgellau—home to just over 2,600 residents—is likely one of the smallest places to have ever produced a world champion.

"Right after the finish of Rally Italia Sardegna, the local council and my hometown reached out to me," Evans explained. "The Welsh Parliament got in touch as well, and everyone was asking if we'd like a homecoming celebration, so in the end we decided to bring it all together into a single day."

"With Toyota's support, we even brought our rally car to show the locals. I'm truly touched by the efforts of everyone who organised this celebration. A huge thank you to everyone, as well as the team, for making this possible."

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin clinched the world title at the season finale in Sardinia, where the championship went down to the wire on the final stage after title rival Oliver Solberg made a mistake and went off the road.

Photos: Elfyn Evans on x.com