LLEWELLIN STEPS UP TO MIRAGE R5 FOR BTRDA AND WELSH ASSAULT
Tom Llewellin, the son of two-time British Rally champion David, will campaign a Mitsubishi Mirage R5 in this year’s BTRDA Gold Star series as well as his native Welsh Rally Championship.
Llewellin, who turned 20 last week, has already tested the Mirage at Sweet Lamb as well as Walters Arena on Tuesday as he launched his livery for the year. His first rally will be the Nicky Grist Stages on July 10 as he steps up from a Ford Escort Mk2. Peredur Davies will co-drive.
“It was the next step for me really,” Llewellin told MN. “Four-wheel drive, even if it wasn’t an R5, was the aim from the Escort. I can’t wait to get rallying and get out in it.”
The Spencer Sport-built
Mirage hasn’t proved as popular as several other R5 cars on the market, but has shown flashes of potential – particularly when Tom Cave almost beat Matt Edwards’ Ford Fiesta with one on the 2018 Nicky Grist Stages.
Llewellin added: “We feel the car is competitive enough, we feel that it’s got what it takes to win rallies. Obviously the first few events I’d love to win but at the end of the day it will be our first time in four-wheel drive so we’ve got to go through the steps.
“Getting experience is the main thing and then I guess after a few events maybe we can start pushing. Most of the BTRDA clashes with the Welsh anyway so we’re going to have a go at both championships.”