At the weekend a Welsh rally driver and an English co-driver created history as they both became the first of their nationalities to win their respective World Rally Championship titles - and the first British crew to claim the WRC crown since Richard Burns and Robert Reid in 2001.

Almost 20 years ago I had the privilege of working with the pair at the start of their careers, when they were part of a talent programme called the MSA Rally Elite scheme.

I helped cover the media training element of the course, and distinctly recall one of the early sessions at the University of Edinburgh. A group of very talented young competitors, already rallying at a high level in junior categories, were brought together and put through their paces on fitness, pacenote making, nutrition, and media and presentation skills.

There were some big characters in that room. They were already tasting success on the stages, firmly in the spotlight, and being tipped for big futures in the sport. Most of them went on to have strong careers and win titles at national and international level.

But it was two of the quietest people in the room who stood out for me. They didn't have the flamboyant nature of some of the others on the programme, and as a shy young man the young Welsh driver struggled with the media modules in particular.

What they both did well though, and it marked them out from the rest, was they talked less, listened more, and asked questions. They even took written notes. They were clearly ready to learn and work hard at their craft rather than rely on natural talent.

That's why it was no surprise to me that Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin have become two of the most successful rally competitors the UK has ever produced, and are now champions of the world.

Both are incredibly hardworking and humble, and have grafted their way to the top despite setbacks along the way. They finished second in the championship five times in the last six years, which is both a phenomenal achievement and mentally very tough.

Their new championship crown didn't come easily either, with the dramatic finale going down to the final stage of the last event of the season.

Elfyn and Scott deserve every bit of success and acclaim for the sheer hard work and commitment they have put in right from the start of their careers.

It was great to see them and have a catch up at the Grampian Rally earlier this year.

And we’re already looking forward to them returning north to the stages at Rally Scotland when the WRC arrives here in 2027 - this time as rightful world champions.

Graeme Cleland