M-Sport team principal Malcolm Wilson is relishing the start of a new British Rally Championship series next month, hailing it as "the perfect platform for those looking to develop their skills and make a name for themselves among the rallying elite".

The Prestone MSA British Rally Championship is ready to burst back on to some of the world’s best rallying stages with another action-packed year of competition following its successful year last year.

The BRC is well-known for being the premier proving ground for young rallying talent, and further history is set to be made on the seven-round series in 2017.

Last year witnessed a stellar performance by Elfyn Evans in a DMACK-backed Ford Fiesta R5.

The Welshman put on a dominant display to clinch the title on the Ulster Rally – 20 years after his father Gwyndaf lifted the same trophy on the same event.

The 28-year-old’s success story fired him back into an FIA World Rally Championship seat and, upon his return, the DMACK World Rally Team driver set fastest stage times on the Monte Carlo Rally to put him back among the world’s best.

“It feels great to be British Rally Champion, 2016 put the enjoyment back into rallying for me and I think the results came because of it,” said Evans.

“The BRC played an important part in getting me back into the WRC and being a part of the buzz and excitement was great.

"It was obviously a really important year for the British Rally Championship – a completely revamped series with new R5 cars – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

"It was a really enjoyable year. We had a fair bit of success, so obviously I am very happy about that and it was really great to see the championship back in full swing and as strong as ever."

Evans understands the importance of the BRC to both his career and the future of British rallying – views that are shared by M-Sport Managing Director and 1994 BRC champion Wilson OBE.

“The British Rally Championship had always been a proving ground for up-and-coming talent and it’s great to see the revitalised series getting back to its roots,” said Wilson.

“It’s the place to be for any aspiring young driver who wants to make the step-up to international rallying.

“Attracting young talent with its mix of gravel and asphalt rallies, the British Rally Championship really does provide the perfect platform for those looking to develop their skills and make a name for themselves among the rallying elite.”

As well as Evans, the BRC has helped to produce some of the current superstars in the world of rallying with Kris Meeke, Jari-Matti Latvala and multiple American Rally Champion David Higgins having all cut their teeth in the championship.

The next wave of talent is on its way with 2016 Junior BRC Champion Robert Duggan set to enter the Junior WRC, while Chris Ingram is gunning for Junior European Rally Championship glory with Opel in 2017.

Jon Armstrong, Gus Greensmith and Osian Pryce are leading the BRC charge in WRC2, the premier support category to the sport’s top level.

Hannu Mikkola, Ari Vatanen, Stig Blomqvist, Colin McRae and Richard Burns all clinched the BRC crown before lifting the WRC title later in their careers.

While Roger Clark, Russell Brookes, Jimmy McRae, Alister McRae and Mark Higgins all became household names in Britain following their championship successes.

The BRC is set to create even more history in 2017, as Britain’s premier rallying series welcomes its first overseas round in the championship’s 59-year history with a trip to Ypres in northern Belgium, marking the midway point in the new calendar.

The new season is set to be the most open in recent times.

Round one of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship gets under way in Jedburgh, Scotland with the Border Counties Rally on March 17/18.