SENIOR RALLY DEBUT FOR TOM LLEWELLIN
Tom Llewellin, youngest son of double British Rally champion David, will make his senior rally debut next season in the Swift Shining Stars series for the onemake Suzuki hatchback.
Llewellin has won the Junior British Rallycross Championship this season in a Peter Gwynne Motorsport Swift, and will step up to the rally championship also run by PGM. He’ll also contest the British Rallycross Championship again, in the same car he will rally.
Llewellin has been mixing his rallycross with rounds of the Junior Formula 1000 Championship, a rally series for 14-17-year-olds in one-litre cars such as the Nissan Micra and Citroen C1.
“I’m most looking forward to getting into the forests, my home Welsh forests,” said Llewellin. “It’s a step up from going round and round the airfields. They’re OK for juniors while you’re learning but I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
The 16-year-old has picked out learning pacenotes as one of his toughest tests for next year, but he believes the familiarity he has with the Swift from rallycross will help with the transition.
“Getting used to pacenotes will take time,” he added. “I’ve started trying to make my own notes on B-roads with dad, I have done a recce too just to try and get used to it.
“The car is one less thing to think about, as a lot will be new next year. We’ll be learning how to use pacenotes, driving on gravel, so that will be one thing I know already.”
The youngster will draw attention thanks to his father’s achievements, but Tom believes it’s only a positive. “Dad definitely helps out and gives me a lot of advice,” he added. “He’s very supportive and helps me all the time. There’s no pressure.”
Llewellin will return to the Peter Gwynne Motorsport garage over the winter to strip and rebuild his Swift ready for next season.
“He wants to know how the car works and to help him when he’s out on the rally,” said Sarah Watson of PGM. “When you’re out on the stages, you’re on your own.”