ELFYN Evans and Daniel Barritt will face a new challenge next week as the 2015 Ford Fiesta RS WRC makes its asphalt debut at round nine of the World Rally Championship – Rallye Deutschland.

The new Ecoboost-powered Fiesta has already proved its pace on gravel and this weekend will see it let loose on the sealed-surface roads of the German Rhineland.

For many, Rallye Deutschland is considered three rallies in one. The character of the stages differ considerably – from twisting tracks through the Mosel vineyards, to the open roads of Saarland and the perilous ‘Hinkelstines’ that line the Baumholder military ground. It’s important to have the correct set-up for each variation, and the M-Sport team has focused on this.

Both drivers have historically performed well on asphalt and Evans in particular can boast an impressive track record from the Trier-based event.

The Welshman won the rally as part of the FIA WRC Academy in 2012 and was locked in an intense battle for the WRC 2 win in 2013 – trading the lead with Robert Kubica before conceding victory by just over 10 seconds.

In 2014, his first season behind the wheel of a world rally car, he and co-driver Daniel Barritt produced a breakthrough performance. Outperforming a number of their more experienced rivals, the pairing secured a string of top-three stage times throughout the final day, including the sought-after Power Stage victory.

“Rallye Deutschland is one of my favourite events and one that I look forward to year on year. We’ve had a lot of good results there in the past and we’ll be hoping to continue that trend,” said Evans.

“It’s a difficult rally, but I think that’s one of the reasons why I enjoy it so much. Unlike other events, the stages don’t have the same general characteristics. Some are fast and open, some are tight and twisty, and then there’s Panzerplatte which is unlike anything else on the calendar.