Manx Telecom’s recent announcement detailing their three-year sponsorship deal of the Manx National Rally has given one of the most popular events in the UK motorsport calendar a massive confidence boost in these uncertain economic times presently affecting all walks of life.

This year’s Manx Auto Sport-organised event retains its popular two-leg format and takes place on 8/9th May. As a qualifying round of three major Championships – the Richard Egger Insurance MSA Asphalt, the Pirelli MSA Gravel & the Mitsubishi Evolution Ralliart Challenge – the entry list, when published, will read like a ‘who’s who’ of National Rallying.

Already confirmed are last year’s Manx winners, MELVYN EVANS (Llanwrda)/ SEAN MULLALLY (Limerick) in their Subaru Impreza S11 and the spectacular Audi A3 Quattro of 2008 MSA Asphalt Champions DAVID KYNASTON (Exeter)/ANDY RUSSELL (Newton Abbot). Meanwhile, two former MSA Gravel Rally Championship title-holders, STEVE PEREZ (Chesterfield) and PAUL BIRD (Penrith) will both take the start in their respective Ford Focus WRCs. Although never having actually won the rally, Bird was the overnight leader a couple of years ago before gearbox bothers put him out of the running. Consequently, he has some unfinished business on the Isle of Man!…

The first car will leave the start in Port Erin at 7.00pm on Friday 8th May and, following an overnight halt, the second leg will see cars leaving the famous TT Grandstand, in Douglas, from 8.45am on the Saturday morning. The traditional finish, with champagne spraying and interviews, will be back at the Grandstand at 4.30pm that afternoon. The Prize Presentation & Awards Ceremony will then take place in the Villa Marina complex at 9.30pm on Saturday evening.