Tomorrow’s (Saturday) Trade Distribution Stages Rally is the penultimate round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, and in the absence of Mark and Eunice Cubbon, other crews have a chance to grab the limelight.

Principle among them is Steve Colley, who probably starts as favourite for the 12-stage off-road event. Steve has never won a rally outright (though he was once denied only by a jump start penalty), and with co-driver Liz Humphreys has been champing at the bitt to fit another rally into his hectic schedule ever since a brilliant third overall on the Jaks Rally at the start of the year on their first run in the car.

They will lead the 25-car field into action from St Johns at 8.45am tomorrow morning, with the event covering four runs each at Glion Gill off the Brandywell Road, and South Barrule and Archallgan plantations.

The two-wheel drive battle looks fascinating. With reigning Manx champion Richard Curphey driving a hired PACE Vauxhall Astra, rather than his own usual version, it may be Andrew Leece who sets the pace in his Vauxhall Astra after strong recent form since switching to the new car.

Nigel Cannell (Vauxhall Corsa) will also bid to uphold front-wheel drive honours against a trio of rear-driven 4Hire Ford Escorts for Ian and Connor Corkill and Glenn Leece. Although the exact driving details were still to be sorted out earlier this week, any of them could finish in the top three or even better should Colley hit any trouble.

• The event presentation takes place on Saturday night at D&G’s (formerly Legends) in Douglas. As ever it’s free entry to all and those involved in the organisation of the event are particularly welcome.
• On the Archallagan stages, cars will shuffle in for their second run of each two amongst those doing the first run, so cars will run at 30 second intervals.
• Ian Corkill is taking delivery of another Mk2 historic spec. BDG Escort this week and it may be ready in time for this weekend’s event in which daughter Rivka is once again co-driving. if the new car is not ready, then the ‘old’ Zetec-engined Mk1 will be pressed into service again. The new car has spent the last 5 years in Barbados and has been fully prepared by Phil and Mick Squires at R.A.C.E. before shipment to the Island on Tuesday. Ian back in a BDG, now there’s a possible treat for the spectators tomorrow!
• Glenn and Jane Leece are also down to drive one of 4HIRE’s Escort’s this weekend and will use an historic spec Mk1 RS2000 (or the Zetec if Ian uses the new BDG). Connor Corkill will also be out in his usual MkI with Howard Allison.

• Going into the event Mark Cubbon holds a six point lead in the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championhsip, with 105 points to Richard Curphey’s 99. Kevin Vondy and Martyn Jones are tied on 75, followed by Kex Walker 65, Ian Corkill and Nigel Cannell 62 and Graham Collister on 58.
   
• Eunice has a similar lead over Andrew Holmes in the co-drivers title hunt, 105 to 99, with Nick Kaighin third on 91, Danni Matthews 65 and Emma Kennaugh 54.