Steve Colley will make his first appearance in the Motor Mall (IoM) Manx Rally Championship this weekend since lifting the title in 2015.

The former world motorcycle trials star will lead away Saturday’s OrmCo Jurby Stages event, organised by Manx Auto Sport.

The entry of 40 cars has surpassed expectations in terms of both quality and quantity for the opening round of the 2019 series, with Colley just one of a handful of potential winners.

He will drive a new-to-him Mitsubishi Evo VII, with Giulio Fabrizio on the all-important maps in an event where dreaded cone penalties often prove crucial.

Another former two-wheel man, Stu Bainborough, should be equally at home on the Jurby Motordrome in his familiar Evo VI, and has leading co-driver Rob Fagg alongside for the first time. They may just be the one’s to set the pace.

Behind is the newer Evo IX of Sean Kelly and Kirsty Duke, with the Santon Motorsport man always happy to talk up his own chances, whereas Timmy Collins (Subaru Impreza) does the opposite, happy to let his driving do the talking with daughter Cliona.

Another turbo/four-wheel drive crew to watch out for is Paul and Michael McEvoy (Subaru), who have had a runners-up finish at the venue in the past.

The two-wheel drive contest is set to be equally as exciting, with most, if not all of the leading local pilots set to take the start.

They are headed by Martyn Jones, who has Mark Bumfrey alongside in the Vauxhall Nova, closely followed by the up-and-coming Rory McCann who is being guided by dad Paul in a Honda Civic.

George Collister also has his dad, Graham, on the paperwork in a BMW 325, and reigning champions Kex Walker/Dannii Matthews are in a similar car.

Matt Bettridge has his stunning-looking Nova out, while there is a welcome return to the stages for former event winner Lee Freestone (BMW E36), as there is for Peter Harrison (Peugeot 106). Lee’s father Martin, the reigning Irish Historic champion, is also competing in his Ford Escort RS1600.

l Scrutineering and signing-on for officials takes place at Motor Mall/Jackson’s premises on Cooil Road on Friday evening from 6-8pm.

The event begins at 9.30am with the first of 10 stages, taking in a total of around 40 stage miles. The finish is scheduled for around 4.30pm.

The service area will be the Andreas Racing Association Paddock area on the airfield itself, which will have access for spectators to walk around.

OrmCo Jurby Stages Rally - entry list:

1, Steve Colley/Giulio Fabrizio (Mitsubishi Evo VII); 2, Stu Bainborough/Rob Fagg (Mitsubishi Evo 6); 3, Sean Kelly/Kirsty Duke (Mitsubishi Evo IX); 4, Timmy Collins/Cliona Collins (Subaru Impreza); 5, Martyn Jones/Mark Bumfrey (Vauxhall Nova); 6, Rory McCann/Paul McCann (Honda Civic); 7, George Collister/Graham Collister (BMW 325); 8, Carine (Kex) Walker/Dannii Matthews (BMW 325); 9, Paul McEvoy/Michael McEvoy (Subaru Impreza); 10, Matthew Bettridge/Ian Postlethwaite (Vauxhall Nova); 11, Lee Freestone/TBC (BMW e36 Compact); 12, Chris Heyes/Rick Sutcliffe (BMW E30); 14, Dale Furniss/Sion Williams (Volkswagen Golf Mk2 GTi); 15, Steven Ormond-Smith/Matthew Daniels (Ford Fiesta ST N3); 16, Martin Freestone/James Luton (Ford Escort RS1600i MK1); 17, Peter Harrison/Nigel Morris (Peugeot 106 Gti); 18, Ross Tunney/Nicole Moon (BMW E36 compact); 19, Tim Cole/Matthew Crowe (BMW E30 325i); 20, Gavin Tyler Roberts/Martin Burns (Mazda RX8); 21, David Cluckie/Jessica Quirk (BMW E30); 22, Anthony Litchfield/Kate Horn (Seat Ibiza); 23, John Tear/Liam McCann (Ford Puma); 24, Michael McKenna/Emma Kennaugh (Vauxhall Astra); 25, Maxx Bradshaw/Stephen Christian (Honda Civic); 26, Terry Phillips/Liam Andrew Whiteley (VW Golf); 27, David Turner/David Hughes (VW Golf Mk2); 28, Andy Duggan/Kayleigh Duggan (Ford S1400 Puma); 29, John Kneen/William Brown (Subaru Impreza); 30, Karl Berrie/Ciaran Tear (Subaru Impreza); 31, Julian Gravestock/Aisling Ridout (BMW E30); 32, Paul Fearn/Leonie Marchbank (Talbot Sunbeam); 33, Ben Kermode-Reeder/Antony Crellin (Skoda Fabia); 34, Kyle Casement/Charlotte Shimmin (Citroen C2); 35, Jeremy Hill/Decca Kelly (Peugeot GTI); 36, Michael Thomas Savino/Liam Thomas Ruddock (Peugeot 205 gti); 37, Tim Andrews/TBC (Nissan Micra); 38, Kayleigh Cannell/Nigel Cannell (Nissan Micra); 39, Michael Diehl/TBC (Vauxhall Corsa); 40, Kealan Sean Beattie/Katie Fox (Vauxhall Astra); 41, Ben Lyon/Eleanor Devereau (Nissan Micra).