ELFYN Evans’ full-scale return to the World Rally Championship is confirmed, with news that he will head the challenge of DMACK’s World Rally Team in a 2017 specification Ford Fiesta WRC.

The British tyre manufacturer will continue to compete at the pinnacle of world motorsport for the seventh consecutive season, after confirmation that it will contest the FIA World Rally Championship.

Reigning British Rally Champion Evans, of Dolgellau, will be reunited with long-term English co-driver Daniel Barritt.

Evans had already been announced as part of DMACK’s line-up for this week’s Monte Carlo, but has now confirmed his deal will take in the full WRC season.

The 28 year-old has had a short but successful partnership with DMACK, lifting the 2016 British Rally Championship title after winning five of the seven rounds, as well as taking the overall victory at the Bettega Memorial Rally last month.

He will be at the wheel of M-Sport’s ground-breaking Ford Fiesta WRC, and will be nominated as M-Sport’s third points scoring driver when the series kicks off at the iconic Rally Monte Carlo, alongside Sebastien Ogier and Ott Tanak.

Evans raced with M-Sport in the WRC class in 2014 and 2015 – securing a best finish of second place on the Rally France - but he switched to the WRC2 class last year after losing his seat in the team.

Delighted to be returning to full WRC competition, Evans hopes to build on the breakthrough 2016 campaign, which saw Tanak claim 30 fastest stage times, reach the podium twice and come within a few seconds of victory on the Rally Poland.

“I’m really excited to be back driving a WRC car again at an exciting period for the sport, with the new generation cars coming in – and I’m really thankful to DMACK for the opportunity," said Evans.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with them over the last 12 months and being part of the development of new 2017 products.

“Being away from the top level for a season has been really hard, but it’s made me even more motivated, and determined to make the most of this opportunity.”

DMACK also continues its WRC2 seven-round programme for the winners of last year’s Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy.

Champion Osian Pryce, from Machynlleth, will be joined by Finland’s Max Vatanen and Northern Irishman Jon Armstrong, with all three competitors sharing the prize drives in an M-Sport Fiesta R5.

The Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy, which has seen DMACK provide the biggest prize in world rallying to the world’s best young talent for the past three years, becomes the FIA Junior WRC this season.

Comprising six rounds of the WRC, drivers from around the world will compete in identical Fiesta R2T cars run by M-Sport – again battling for the Drive DMACK prize of a full season in WRC 2.

DMACK’s season kicks off with the Rally Monte Carlo, which blasts away from Casino Square,Monaco on Thursday.

Dick Cormack, DMACK managing director, said: “Last year was pivotal in DMACK’s history – from both a performance and technical development aspect.

“Our small but extremely focused team has made huge strides forward and we’re determined to maintain that progression.

“Elfyn has been a great ambassador for DMACK when dominating the British Championship and I’m confident his hunger for success will shine through.”