The Formula Rally Super 1600 contenders lead the way on this rally of many parts. Behind them are the contenders in the full rally, followed by various one make series, including the Peugeot Super 106 Cup, the VW Polo Challenge, the Ford Puma and KA series. The initial spotlight will be on Formula Rally. Martin Rowe in his Ford Puma leads the series, from Justin Dale in his Peugeot 106 GTi. Each has a good record through the Scottish forests. Rowe, whose Puma runs on Pirelli Tyres, comments - "We have had a good test session, sorting out the best tyres, the optimum suspension set up. I'm really looking forward to this, getting back into the forests after so many cancellations this year." Martin's Ford team-mate Patrick Magaud is on his first trip to the Scottish forests. Justin Dale in the Peugeot is no stranger to them however, and he is planning 'maximum' attack!

Missing from the fray will be Neil Simpson.The Volkswagen works driver has been hurt in a testing accident and his place in the VW Polo is being taken by former British GpN Champion David Higgins. Also in the lead line up is Mats Andersson in his Satria. These five are the 'works' drivers. Paul Wedgbury in his Saxo, Martin Sansom in a twin 106 to Justin Dale's - they are just two who could make it hot for the men in front.Simon Mauger switches to Proton this time and debuted the car with a win on a small rally at Taunton last weekend. Other interesting Formula Rally drivers include Ulsterman Robert Woodside in a Chris Birkbeck prepared Puma - he was up with the leaders on his first Formula Rally outing at the Wirrall, but missed the last round in Wales. In all 12 Formula Rally Super 1600's, including Martin Meadows, Paul Alexander and young Ian Barrett will compete, tackling Saturday's six special stages.

There should be a fascinating battle amongst the next batch of cars, headed by Tapio Laukkanen. He drives a Subaru, as will late entries Mark Higgins, Alistair Ginley and Eamonn Boland. That takes us on to the various one make Championships. The Peugeot Super 106 Cup contenders are doing both days of the rally and will score double points. The Super 106 Cup has built up a tradition of being a battle of the young lions. Never more so than this year, with the likes of Kris Meeke, Garry Jennnings, Simon Hughes, Shaun Gallagher, Adrian McElvaney and several more up against the slightly more experienced Ryan Champion, Rory Galligan, Michael Brew..... One way or another this should be quite a battle. Hopefully it doesn't become one of attrition - the rally does have a real sting in the tail, called Clatteringshaws!

The Peugeot Super 106 Cup contenders compete over both days of the rally, the Ford Puma and KA Championship drivers, as well as the Polo Challenge and F1400 do just one day. This means of course that the drivers in these series can not afford a single slip. A puncture could make all the difference. Guy Wilks is the points leader in the Puma Championship - from David Henderson. Darren Snape leads the KA series from Ian Forgan, while David Bateson is top of the Polo list from Clive Wheeler...that can all change over the weekend of course - that's what the rally is all about. More news from service...BRIAN & LIZ PATTERSON