Rally champion Evans gets hero's welcome in home county

Elfyn Efans was greeted by crowds as he drove in Dolgellau with the first minister, after visiting his old school. New world rally champion Elfyn Evans has been given a hero's welcome by hundreds of supporters at a celebration event in his home county. The driver from Dinas Mawddwy in Gwynedd drove his Toyota world rally car from the village to a stage in the middle of nearby Dolgellau, before meeting fans for autographs and photographs. The celebrations ended with a driving exhibition by Evans – where he took First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth for a spin – in the high-powered car around Dolgellau's main car park. Evans became the first Welsh driver to become world champion, and during the event, he thanked the fans who had supported him since he started his career as a teenager.

Evans said he felt "very lucky and honoured" that the event was arranged, and hoped his success would build "some awareness of the sport". He added he was taken aback by the cheering from pupils. "Of course we're used to it on events, but to have it at home is a bit surreal in a way," he said. "It's a small community, obviously everyone around my age knows me as Elfyn so there's no fuss. "But maybe for the kids they're only used