EAST Lancashire rally crews are gearing up for this weekend’s Legend Fires North West Stages Rally, an event that promises to be the best in its 18-eighteenyear history.

No fewer than 110 cars and crews will start the two-day rally tomorrow evening.

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One of the favourites for victory is Blackburn businessman and event sponsor John Stone, who won the event in 2004 and finished runner-up three years ago.

Partnering Stone, who is seeded at car five in his Legend Fires Skoda Fabia WRC, is Carl Williamson who co-drove for him in last year’s MSA Asphalt Championship in which they finished runners-up.

They won’t be wanting a repeat of last year’s outcome when they were forced to retire while lying second with just three stages remaining.

Rishton duo Stephen Rostron and Sharron Hartley are seeded at car 54 in their Ford Escort Cosworth while Nelson’s Michael Judson and Derek Lewin are flying the Clitheroe & Distict Motor Club flag in their Vauxhall Astra, seeded at car 80.

Reigning SD34 Stage Rally Champions Antony Dixon and Ryan Moyler, both from Burnley and members of Pendle & District Motor Club are seeded at car 84 in another Vauxhall Astra.

Seeded at car 97 are Accrington duo Steve Johnson and Steve Butler who will be aiming to take Class F honours in their Nissan Micra.

A number of drivers are calling upon the expertise of East Lancashire co-drivers to guide them through the gruelling two-day event that is well known for its tight timing schedule.

Blackburn’s Terry Martin accompanies Tim Finch in the Subaru Impreza (car 30); Burnley’s Neil Bye teams up with Lee Farrer in his Ford Puma S1600 (car 48) while noted road rally navigator Alan Barnes from Hoghton partners Ian Rooke in the Peugeot 106 (car 66).

Clitheroe’s Ian Rayner makes a return to the event with Preston driver Graham Chesters in his Talbot Sunbeam.It’s not just the stage action that makes this event so popular.

The Norbreck’s Norcalympia Exhibition Area, which plays host to the pre-rally scrutineering, Friday night’s parc ferme and Saturday evening’s post rally champagne finish, is also home to the ‘Rally Village’ the UKs largest motorsport show north of Birmingham.

There’s more to this event than the sporting side of things as the rally fund raising efforts have exceeded £100,000 mark. Derian House is this year’s nominated main beneficiary and spectators are asked to give generously, particularly as access to most venues is free.

Another exciting feature this year is the new layouts to the Fuchs Titan Motor Oils Blackpool Promenade Stages that give unprecedented viewing opportunities close to the stage finish before the North Pier. Spectators heading for these stages are advised to use town centre car parks as there is very limited street parking in this area.