Elfyn Evans and Max Vatanen will head up a DMACK entered team to the 2016 MSA British Rally Championship, piloting M-Sport built Ford Fiesta R5s.
Welshman Evans scored two FIA World Rally Championship podiums last season, including a career-best second place at the Tour de Corse, for 2016 he will have split duties between the DMACK BRC programme and further development work on the M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 on the world stage, with the 27-year-old due to take place in the WRC2 class of Rallye Monte-Carlo next week.
Evans and new co-driver Craig Parry will look to emulate his father Gwyndaf who was crowned British champion in 1996 and finished runner-up four other times.
“It’s great to be back in the BRC during a revival year which sees the championship organisers putting so much effort into getting the series back to a high level,” said Evans. “It’s also exciting to join the DMACK team alongside Max and to start our campaign on my home event at the Mid Wales Stages will definitely be a special feeling.
“While I will be pushing on every rally, the events will also provide us with valuable seat time in the Ford Fiesta R5 for our challenge in the WRC 2 championship.”
Forty years on from rally icon Ari Vatanen taking the British title, his 25-year-old son Max will tackle the series. The young Finnish driver took part in the Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy for the last two season on the world stage and will step up to four-wheel-drive for the first time this year.
“I’ve heard so much about the stages in the BRC so I’m really looking forward to the first event,” said Vatanen. “The championship will provide me with some great experience and the support from my father and my new team-mate Elfyn will be extremely valuable. I don’t have much knowledge of the UK, especially on Tarmac, so it will be a big learning season for me but I’m ready for the challenge it brings.”
Dick Cormack, DMACK managing director, added “We are really excited with the revived BRC and keen to be involved. Committing to a two-car campaign was the obvious choice for us and we have a really enthusiastic line-up with Elfyn and Max. Not only are they up for the challenge but there’s a huge historical significance with their fathers both being former British Rally Champions. Elfyn’s presence in the BRC will really help young drivers progress as I believe he will provide a competitive benchmark and give them something to aim for.”
The MSA British Rally Championship kicks into action with the Mid Wales Stages on 5-6 March.
