Having recently stated that, due to a clashing commitment with his World Superbike Team, he would be unable to defend his 2009 Manx Telecom Rally victory, the lure of the special stages on the Isle of Man has proved too much for PAUL BIRD and, following a change of plan, he will indeed take the start of this year’s event.

With former Scottish Rally Championship-winning co-driver KIRSTY RIDDICK reading the notes in his Ford Focus WRC, the popular Cumbrian will lead the field away from the start in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 7th May.

Next away will be defending British Rally Champion KEITH CRONIN and co-driver BARRY MCNULTY (Subaru Impreza N15) who have entered the event partly to gain some more first-hand experience of the closed public roads in readiness for Rally Isle of Man, the BRC round which takes place in July. Be that as it may, the Ulstermen must be regarded as serious contenders for outright victory on this occasion – it would not be the first time that a Group N car has won the event…

As the second round of the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt Rally Championship, registered contenders for the series account for approximately 20% of the Manx Telecom Rally entry. Leading them will be the fearsome Audi A3 Quattro of 2006 & 2008 Asphalt Champions DAVID KYNASTON/ANDY RUSSELL. Their visit to the island last year ended in disappointment, but 4th overall in 2008 just goes to show what they are capable of.

Behind them are fellow Asphalt Championship aspirants DAMIAN COLE/CRAIG DREW in their Ford Focus WRC. Cole is no stranger to the Isle of Man, having contested the rally on various occasions in the past at the wheel of a Metro 6R4, a Darrian, a Hyundai Accent and a Mitsubishi Lancer in which his most successful result was achieved.

HUGH HUNTER/ANDY MARCHBANK, in another Focus WRC, are best known for their gravel rally successes. The 2008 BTRDA Gold Star Champions are trying their hand at some asphalt events this year and, coming to the Manx with little or no ‘form’,  could well be ‘dark horses’.

Local interest in the event is spearheaded by STEVE QUINE/RICHARD SKINNER who start at No.6 in their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO6. Just outside the Top Ten, GEORGE COLLISTER/JANET CRAINE (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO3) have Bury’s JOHN COPE and co-driver ROB FAGG, from Kirk Michael, right behind them in a Subaru Impreza WRC99.

The first two-wheel drive car in the entry is the Ford Escort of WESLEY PATTERSON/MARTIN MCGARRITY, but they will be keeping a watchful eye over their shoulder as Santon husband-and-wife crew NIGEL & MICHAELA CANNELL (Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9) will give them no peace!