DOLGELLAU’S Elfyn Evans will head to Rally del Paraguay next week determined to strengthen his grip on the FIA World Rally Championship lead as the title race enters its closing stages.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver and co-driver Scott Martin arrive in South America with a 30-point advantage at the top of the standings following strong performances in Estonia and Finland, where Toyota extended its manufacturers’ championship lead.

Paraguay hosts round 11 of the season and marks the first of two consecutive South American gravel rallies. Evans will be aiming to build on his championship advantage on roads that proved particularly demanding when the WRC visited the country for the first time in 2025.

The fast stages feature a red clay surface that can offer unpredictable grip, while bumps and sharp rocks present further challenges. Wet weather can make conditions even more treacherous.

Reflecting on last year’s rally, Evans said: “Our first time competing in Paraguay proved a lot more challenging than everyone anticipated.

“On paper the stages looked quite straightforward with many long straights and junctions, but the rally was made far more difficult by the polished clay surface and the changing grip levels.

“Then, when it rained on the final morning, there was almost no grip available at all.

“In our position running first on the road on these gravel rallies, some rain can help to level the playing field, but it can also turn quickly into a lottery when the grip is so low.

“Like always, we’ll just have to do our best in whatever conditions we face when the rally begins.”

TGR-WRT boast a 174-point lead in the manufacturers’ championship and have all five of its drivers occupying the top five places.

Based in Encarnación, the event runs from August 27-30 before the championship moves on to Rally Chile two weeks later.