OSIAN PRYCE is confident Wales Rally GB will bring the best out of reigning champion Elfyn Evans.

Evans stunned the world's elite 12 months ago to become the first ever Welshman to win the event, and first British driver since Richard Burns in 2000.

It was also Evans' maiden World Rally Championship event win and left the then 28-year-old feeling "on top of the world".

It's been a challenging year since his historic success, but Pryce believes his good friend will be looking forward to trying to retain his title when the action starts on Friday morning.

"There’s more pressure on him to come back and win the rally again and people will be expecting him to win," said Pryce. "That’s not always a good thing. He’s had a lot of misfortune this season, a lot of which hasn’t been his fault, but it is frustrating because there’s nothing you can do about it.

"Yes, he’s made the odd mistake and had a few tough rallies recently, but he’ll be determined to put that behind him in Wales Rally GB.

"He’s been there and done it so that will give him some confidence. He must aim to win it again, but a podium finish would be a good result too."

Pryce, who won't be on the start line this year as he prepares for a tilt at the global rallying circuit next season, reflected on Evans' memorable success last year.

The Machynlleth driver is hoping to follow in Evans' footsteps in the future.

"I’ve known Elfyn since I was very young, and we’re good friends," continued Pryce. "It’s something I’ll never forget to be honest, because I was there as part of the Ralïo+ team.

"Seeing one of my friends win, someone who I know has worked so hard to get to that point, was special.

"Of course, I’m trying to follow the same path that Elfyn has taken and I just need to keep going and hope that I’ll be where he is in a few years’ time."

Asked about his plans for the future, Pryce, who will be playing his part in this year's coverage of Wales Rally GB, added: "Unfortunately, money is everything and I have several people and sponsors helping me, so I hope I can start again next year.

"I struggled to get a competitive budget last year, so I’ve had a quiet season this year and hopefully next season will be a good one."

As proved so popular when introduced last year, the competitive action will blast off with a fabulous, atmospheric curtain-raiser under the spotlights at the Tir Prince Raceway in Towyn tomorrow night.

Gates open at 4pm and a full programme including autograph sessions, team presentations and stunt shows precedes the rally’s opening speed test which includes jumps, donuts and a dazzling sideways blast around the country’s premier trotting track.

A key component to this year’s innovative new rally route is a Friday set entirely in north Wales, which features four venues either side of a lunchtime return to the Deeside Rally Village.

One of the day’s highlights will be the new Slate Mountain special stage set high up in Snowdonia which crews will tackle twice in quick succession.

‘Super Saturday’ not only features the most competitive mileage but is also set in the legendary rallying heartlands of mid Wales close to Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, before Sunday's finale takes place on the ground-breaking Great Orme Llandudno Street Stage.

Making history, for the first time in Great Britain, streets in the town are being closed to host World Championship motor sport.

Ralïo+ will be showing evening highlights from each day of this year’s rally, from tomorrow to Sunday, as well as live coverage of three stages; the Dyfnant stage on Saturday, and the power stage, the Gwydir stage and the famous Great Orme stage on Sunday.

On Monday, October 8, Ralio will also be showing highlights from the other rallies taking place over the weekend, from the British Rally Championship and the National Rally.