This weekend’s Chris Kelly Rally has received a significant boost with the late entry of former Irish Tarmac and Irish National champion Declan Boyle.

In addition to Declan, his talented two sons are also set to make their debuts in the event. Michael has won four events in the past year, while Matthew is fresh from a top-10 finish in last weekend’s Cork 20 Rally. All three will drive Skoda Fabia Rally 2 machinery.

Another late entry from Donegal is Aaron McLaughlin (VW Polo GTi), who has a top-six finish on the 2019 Manx National Rally among his visits to the island.

2022 UK Asphalt champion Steve Wood and Kenny Hull (Polo) are set to lead the field into action with Ben Hardy/David Radcliffe (MkII Ford Escort), who have been contesting the National Asphalt Championship this year, heading the local crews.

Steven Ormond-Smith (Mitsubishi Evo IX) starts behind them, bidding to get over his hefty Manx National crash, while other top locals include France-domiciled Gary Leece and niece Sarah Coole (Skoda Fabia) and Martyn Jones/Llion Williams (Vauxhall Nova).

2012 winners John Cope from Bury and Kirk Michael’s Rob Fagg, are re-united in a Skoda Fabia with Subaru running gear.

There are nine stages on Friday evening and another nine on Saturday, three loops of three stages each day.

From the event’s TT Grandstand base, Friday evening’s action starts with the Port Erin town centre stage running up Mull Hill towards Cregneash, followed by Kentraugh and Pooil Vaaish to Ballanorris on the Southern 100 course, and then Corlea, Grenaby, Ballabeg and Ronague, finishing at Round Table.

Saturday’s route takes in Injebreck, Brandywell Cottage and Druidale, then the Dog Mills test, before concluding with a run from Sulby Claddaghs up Tholt-e-Will.

A full report will appear in next week’s edition of the Manx Independent.

CHRIS BOYDE

Rally schedule

Friday: First car leaves Grandstand 6pm; Special Stage 1: Port Erin 1 (1.44 miles) 6.43; SS2 The Shore 1 (3.36 miles) 6.56; SS3 Corlea 1 (7.43 miles) 7.16; Service - Round Table 7.27; SS4

Port Erin 2 8.25; SS5 The Shore 2 8.38; SS6 Corlea 2 8.58. Service - Round Table 9.09pm; SS7 Port Erin 3 10.07; SS8 The Shore 3 10.20; SS9 Corlea 3 10.40.

Saturday: Grandstand depart 9.30am; SS10 Algare 1 (7.42 miles) first car due 9.44; SS11 Ballavoddan 1 (5.39 miles); 10.14; SS12 Tholt-y-Will 1 (5.79 miles) 10.41; Service - Grandstand 11.06; SS13

Algare 2 11.55; SS14 Ballavoddan 2 12.25pm; SS15 Tholt-y-Will 2 12.52; Service - Grandstand 1.17; SS16 Algare 3 2.06; SS17 Ballavoddan 3 2.36; SS18 Tholt-y-Will 3 3.03; MTC4 - Grandstand finish 3.28pm.

Entry list (top 25)

2, Steve Wood/Kenny Hull (Polo); 4, Ben Hardy/David Radcliffe (Escort); 5, Steven Ormond-Smith/Phil Sandham (Mitsubishi); 6, Gavin Edwards/Caron Tomlinson (Escort); 7, Bradley Carroll/Gareth Short (Fiesta); 8, Gary Leece/Sarah Coole (Skoda); 9, Martyn Jones/Llion Williams (Escort); 10, Chris Thompson/Steve Bielby (Fiesta); 11, Max Murray/Matthew Owen (Citroen); 12, Andrew Dudgeon/Joseph Dooley (Escort); 13, Sean Kelly/Dannii Matthews (Mitsubishi); 14, John Cope/Rob Fagg (Skoda); 16, Daniel Mundell/Stephen Spear (Escort); 17, Sean Crowley/Sam Weller (MkII); 18, John Adams/Andrew Bushe (Escort); 20, Harry Fox/Kayleigh Cannell (Fiesta); 21, Kyle Casement/Martin Burns (Citroen); 22, Peter Harrison/Nigel Morris (Peugeot); 23, Michael Taylor/Andrew Holmes (Subaru); 24, Tristan Kewley/Chloe Convery (Mistubishi); 25, David Craine/Finn Collister (Escort).