M-Sport WRC driver Elfyn Evans to 2016 British Rally Championship

Evans joins the DMACK British Rally Team along with new co-driver Craig Parry and will dovetail his BRC programme with a limited schedule in WRC2.

The Welshman was replaced in the M-Sport WRC team by Frenchman Eric Camilli in November last year, having finished seventh in the standings in 2015.

Evans believes the quality of 2016's revived BRC is a key draw for drivers and teams alike.

"Obviously it's looking like a really exciting championship," said Evans. "Proper rallies and proper organisation.

"We know the R5 is a competitive car and we're really looking forward to getting out again."

The 27-year-old last contested a full BRC schedule in 2011, when he finished second overall in a Subaru Impreza.

Evans regards his previous time in the BRC as a career highlight, and is hoping to revive his enjoyment of rallying after the strain of fighting for his WRC career.

"I think some of the most enjoyment I've had in my career was driving the R2 to the limit on a lot of the British rallies so we're definitely looking forward to enjoying ourselves more than anything," he said.

"At the end of the day it's an opportunity for me to drive, to really bring the fun back into the sport for me and I think it fits everybody involved."

M-Sport team boss Malcolm Wilson has backed Evans' return to British rallying, and is hoping the Dolgellau driver will return to winning ways.

"Running in the BRC this year will give Elfyn even more seat time and more competition," said Wilson.

"I hope and I'm sure he will come up with some really strong results and I know from experience that there's no better confidence booster than winning.

"Elfyn's spent two years battling to improve and hopefully this will give him that extra leg up that he needs."

Evans' team-mate at DMACK will be Max Vatanen, son of 1976 and 1980 BRC champion Ari.

This week's Motorsport News features further analysis of Evans' British Rally Championship deal and what it means for the revived series, plus the full story of the newly-created DMACK M-Sport Motorsport News Rally Driver Award.