WELSH rally ace Elfyn Evans is hoping to achieve team success when the final round of the 2016 MSA British Rally Championship season takes place on the picturesque Isle of Man this weekend.Evans and Craig Parry wrapped up the BRC title on the Ulster Rally last time out, and with the pressure off, the DMACK British Rally crew will be gunning for their fifth BRC win before the end of the season in their Autotek-run Fiesta R5.

Evans has only competed on the event once previously, but he’s hoping to master the bumpy lanes and high-speed roads that the rally traditionally includes.

“Despite having only competed once before, I really enjoy the stages on the Isle of Man," said Evans, from Dolgellau.

"There are some classic roads and a real mix of characteristics – from narrow and bumpy to fast, flowing and wide. With the drivers’ championship sewn up, our focus is on the teams’ championship and helping to secure another title for DMACK.”The three-day showdown will see the BRC crews tackle 167 competitive stage miles on the iconic Tarmac lanes.

The Welsh duo will be pushed all the way by Manx wildcards – Citroen factory driver Craig Breen and local hero Mark Higgins – and a whole host of other BRC drivers who will all be fighting for the runner-up spot in Britain’s premier rallying series.

Heading to the popular island event in the pound seats are Welsh duo Tom Cave and co-driver James Morgan in the Spencer Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta R5.

Cave has already been on the podium three times this year, with the top step the only position missing from the Michelin drivers impressive collection.

"This rally is always tough, not only because of its length, but the stages are very demanding on the cars and crews," said Cave, from Aberdyfi.

"Strategically, it’s going to be even tougher for us, as we have to drive hard enough to maintain an advantage over the four others that could still take second place, yet not too hard and then risk not getting to the finish. But, we like a challenge.”

Challenging Cave will be a host of other drivers, all-fighting for lucrative Rally Isle of Man points. Four others have a mathematical chance of taking the runners-up spot on the September spectacular.

Asphalt ace Jonathan Greer in his Pirelli-shod Citroen DS3 R5 already has two rostrums to his name on the sealed-surface in 2016.

Greer timely played his ‘Joker’ to double his points on the Ulster Rally and vaulted up the pecking order heading to the season curtain call.

Along with navigator Kirsty Riddick, the Ulsterman will be eager to return the French marque to the top of the BRC tree once again after a two-year absence.

Swedish superstar Fredrik Ahlin exploded onto the British Rally Championship scene on the Mid Wales Stages, challenging Evans on home soil on the opening round and at one point, showed the newly-crowned champion the way.

The Welshman used his local knowledge to overturn his fellow Fiesta R5 driver eventually, but 25-year-old Ahlin was to have his own moment of glory two months later when he became the first Swede to win a round of the BRC since 1995 on the Pirelli Carlisle Rally.

Three non-scoring rallies mid-season have seen him slowly slip down the order, but never write off the driver from Hammaro, as he will be more determined than ever to secure another win in the BRC before the year is out with Morten Erik Abrahamsen calling the notes.

Behind the wheel of his Skoda Fabia R5, Scotsman David Bogie’s results have not shown his true speed this season as the former BRC champion could have been in title contention had it not been for retirements on the Pirelli and Scottish rallies.

Bogie has an outside, yet mathematical chance of taking the runners-up spot behind British champion Evans if he claims victory on the Manx.

Fellow Fabia R5 driver Desi Henry can also claim second, but would need to win the event – allied to the other drivers in front failing to finish – to climb towards the sharp end of the table.

Henry already has two podiums this year and would love to make it three on the championship finale.

Other BRC1 drivers including Ollie Mellors (Proton Satria S2000), Tom Preston (Skoda Fabia R5), Jamie Anderson, Rhys Yates, Matt Edwards and Alex Laffey all driving Ford Fiesta R5s will want to outdo their season bests on the challenging island lanes.