Cumbria’s Paul Bird starts as favourite for this weekend’s PokerStars Rally, but faces the strongest entry list in the event’s history.

Reigning Manx Rally champion Daniel Harper will lead the capacity 85-strong field into action from Jurby on Friday tea-time in his Mini WRC.

He will be followed by three-time Manx National Rally-winner Bird, tackling his first asphalt rally in the Ford Focus WRC since his recent return to the sport following a two-year ban.

Top local Nigel Cannell (Mitsubishi Evo IX) starts at No.3 and is favourite to claim another title despite heading into the final round of the Motor Mall Manx Rally Championship two points behind George Collister (BMW).

TEG Sport driver Arron Newby (Subaru) is a twice former Manx champion and winner of this event, and has legendary Northern Irish co-driver Rory Kennedy alongside.

A strong contingent of Scottish drivers is led by former Mull Rally winners Paul Mackinnon in a Ford Fiesta R5 from the Dom Buckley Motorsport team that also run Bird.

He was second in his only previous appearance on the event. Next is James MacGillivray (Subaru), with multiple Mull winner Calum Duffy making his much-anticipated Manx debut in a Ford Escort MkII.

Wesley Patterson and TT star Michael Dunlop lead the challenge from Northern Ireland in MKII Escorts as the quality runs deep into the entry.

Wales is also represented at the head of affairs, with Tomas Davies a potential dark-horse for success in his Ford Fiesta R5, after strong performances in Ireland this year.

Other leading local drivers include Andrew Dudgeon (Evo VI), who was having a superb run on September’s Rally Isle of Man until the bonnet flew up twice on one stage.

He warmed up for the PokerStars event by testing the Spencer Sport Mitsubishi Mirage R5 car in Wales last week. Both he and Timmy Collins (Evo IX) are still in contention for the Manx title.

Leading WRC co-drivers Dai Roberts (Peugeot 205) and Dale Furniss (VW Golf) will both drive on the event.

Friday night features eight stages in darkness covering 43 miles in the west of the island over Druidale/Little London, The Garey, Slieau Whallian/Round Table and Brack-a-Broom/Staarvey. On Saturday the action moves north to nine tests (over a total of 59 miles) based round Ballaugh Curraghs, Andreas and Dog Mills.

l For a full entry list and route/time schedule in this week’s Manx Independent.