EV Cargo’s global brand ambassador Elfyn Evans finished his FIA World Rally Championship season in style by taking a sensational victory on Rally Japan and celebrating on the podium for the second time this year with Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation.
On the final thrilling event of the season, Elfyn led home a dream 1-2-3 finish on the home rally for his Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, with team-mates and multiple world rally champions Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera completing the podium lockout.
It was Elfyn’s third victory of the season as he helped Toyota become World Rally Champion Manufacturer and he secured second place in the drivers’ championship.
Driving his Toyota GR Yaris hybrid rally car, which runs on 100% sustainable race fuel, he claimed a stunning 1m 17sec victory on one of the toughest events of the season.
Extreme rain on the opening day delivered very tough conditions, waterlogging the tricky asphalt roads around Toyota City, but Elfyn mastered the conditions to open up a commanding lead. He maintained his grip on the event over the next two days, despite a mix of weather conditions including fog, further rain and even light snow showers on the final day.
Leading home a Toyota 1-2-3 on their home event in Japan was the perfect way to round off the season and was much appreciated by Akio Toyoda, who celebrated with Elfyn and co-driver Scott Martin on the podium.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “Elfyn and Scott, congratulations on your victory! You two did a great job to collect last year’s forgotten items! Thank you for taking me to the podium two times this year! Being able to drive in front of so many spectators, it was a rally full of exciting and amazing experiences for both fans and drivers. I believe the powerful performance of rally cars will stay in the children’s memories.”
Elfyn Evans said: “It’s really nice to be on the top step of the podium again and even more so when it’s a 1-2-3 for the team. It’s an amazing result and we could not have asked for a much better event at home for Toyota, so I’m really pleased. Massive congratulations to the team, it’s been an incredible season, the car has been great and I’m really proud that I could be part of winning the world title for Toyota.”
Dave Holland, EV Cargo Executive VP Marketing & Communications, said: “I’d like to thank Elfyn for helping to promote the EV Cargo brand across global markets and new audiences throughout the season and congratulate him on his successes with Toyota. The World Rally Championship has powerful synergies with EV Cargo, and the sustainable race e-fuel the cars use resonates with the HVO renewable diesel we use in our truck fleet to help reduce emissions and decarbonise our customer supply chains.”
