However the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship has not just been a battle of former champions - no less than seven previous champions started the first round in Carlisle! - but there have been a number of young guns out to usurp their elders.
Stuart Jones and Phil Morrow have shown they have the pace but bad luck has dogged both Mitsubishi drivers throughout the year.
Young Zimbabwean Conrad Rautenbach, dovetailing a British campaign with his JWRC commitments, has quietly collected points and following a recent series of tests in Wales the 22 year old should go well.
"I did some tests recently with some new dampers and am really happy with the car now, so I’m just hoping to end the season with a good result!"
Conrad also heads the juniors category, 4 points ahead of his JWRC rival Guy Wilks, who has dominated the S1600 class of the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship on every round he has competed in - including a sterling second overall on the Isle of Man.
However, leading the S1600’s as the championship heads to Wales is the 2005 Stars of the Future Champion James Wozencroft, also at the wheel of a Suzuki Ignis.
Another battle that will reach its exciting climax on the International Wales Rally GB is the fight for Class R3 honours. Whilst both Justin Dale (Renault Clio Ragnotti) and Matt Beebe (MG ZR 160) have taken class wins throughout the year, Matt heads to Wales with a psychological advantage, having beaten everyone in this class in a smaller car on the 2005 Rally GB. The pair head to Wales with just 4 points separating them.
"The 2005 Wales Rally GB was an incredible experience, and to win the award for first Group N 2 wheel drive home was fantastic. However the 2006 championship has been so fiercely competitive with Justin that its hard to believe its almost over," said Beebe. "I’m just hoping for a good run in Wales as I know my car is not the toughest car out there!"
