NOT for nothing is the Tour of Mull known as The Best Rally In The World.

Few events can match the unique challenge of rallying on the Scottish Isle - and few events are more popular.

A total of 160 crews are heading for Mull - many from East Lancashire - and they are the lucky ones.

With all the places filled within two weeks of the entry list opening, dozens of other competitors from all over Britain were left disappointed.

Organisers 2300 Club of Blackburn have decided to continue with the same tried and tested format, as clerk of the course Clive Molyneux explained:

"The rally will start from Tobermory on the Friday evening, with seven stages totalling 50 miles run through darkness into the small hours of the Saturday morning.

"Section two of the rally begins on Saturday at noon and will incorporate just over 47 stage miles over seven stages. Crews will have a short break before starting section three at 9pm on Saturday. A total of five stages will make up the remainder of the event,

which will finish back in Tobermory at approximately 2am.

"Over the past 37 years it has evolved into the rally we have today. There are many factors that make this event totally unique in the motorsport world, including the friendly welcome bestowed on everyone by the locals, the dramatic landscape of the island and the format of the event.

"With the stages taking place amid some of the most beautiful scenery in the British Isles, the Tour of

Mull has become a favourite amongst competitors, marshals and spectators alike."

Mini men Daniel Harper and Chris Campbell head the East Lancashire challenge in their Minisport of Padiham BMW Mini S.

Seeded at car nine, the pair will be hoping to see the Tobermory finish ramp after a dramatic exit last year.

The car was wrecked after a massive off on the Loch Scridain stage, ending up on the beach with an incoming tide!