The island’s roads and lanes will be buzzing with the sound of classic cars this weekend as the Three Legs of Mann Rally returns for its third edition.

The event forms part of two international series, the HERO Cup for drivers and Golden Roamer for Navigators.

The top prize is a magnificent Zenith Wristwatch worth £7,000 for the respective series winners.

Such is the interest in the event, that it was over-subscribed four months ago, and it has a truly international feel with crews from all over Europe travelling to sample the island’s unique hospitality and motorsport heritage.

Amongst the pre-event favourites, Paul Crosby and Ali Procter (1969 Porsche 911) will be battling the similar cars of Howard Warren/Nick Bloxham and Peter Lovett/Rob Henchoz. Ford Escorts will be driven by Matt Warren/ Ryan Pickering and legendary Irish rallycross driver Dermot Carnegie, who is navigated by Paul Bosdet.

Smaller cars feature heavily also with Geoff Hall/Martyn Taylor in their 1380cc Mini Cooper S, while the father and son team of Nick and Andy Pullan sport the smallest engined vehicle on the event, a 998cc Hillman Imp.

Making her rallying return is Bron Burrell in her Austin Maxi for the first time since she drove the car on the famous London to Mexico Rally in the 1970s.

Bron is partnered by sisters Seren and Elise Whyte from Wales.

Local competitors include Noel Kelly and David Morgan in their similar Volvos, with David and James Mylchreest bringing their Austin-Healey out to stretch its legs.

Pete Johnson returns to the island, partnering Nigel Perkins in an immaculate Porsche 911.

Starting from the TT Grandstand on Friday morning at 9.15, the 65 crews will tackle driving tests and regularity sections at various points around the island, including plantations and some minimal closed roads sections.

With navigation forming a major aspect of the event and crews not receiving instructions until they start each leg, route information is closely guarded.

The main spectator-friendly point is Jurby kart track, where the action takes place between 2 and 3.40pm on Friday and 11am and 12.40pm on Saturday.

The event finish is back at the TT Grandstand on Saturday with the first car scheduled to be over the finish line at 3pm.

Running alongside the event on the Friday night section, tackling the same route, is the local March Rally, which with earlier postponements becomes the opening round of the 2017 Isle of Man Navigational Championship.

Despite the different challenge this section has attracted 15 entries.

Amongst them are former Manx champions Matt Bettridge/Ian Postlethwaite, Jess and Graham Collister (competing separately) and Andrew Holmes.

It means almost 80 cars could be out on Friday night, which will be a spectacle to behold.

l More information and live reports and results can be found at http://heroevents.eu/event-type/three-legs-of-mann/ and www.facebook.com/herorally

l Marshals are still required, please call Alison Monnier on 205705 if you’d like to be part of something different.

Local rally

events diary:

March 31/April 1 - Haydn Minay Forest Stages; April 8 - Mayflower Night Rally; April

27-29 - Manx Classic hill climbs; May 5-6 -Manx National Rally.