Making a change from the plethora of Subaru’s and Mitsubishis is David Higgins in his Toyota S2000. Despite the car having been developed on gravel, a lot of hard work by the team made it a strong contender on the
Jim Clark Rally and the team will be hoping for a similar result this weekend.
The supporting classes are just as closely contested.
2006 junior champion Conrad Rautenbach returns in his Citroen C2 S1600, less than a week after wrapping up the African Rally Championship title in his homeland, Zimbabwe. Conrad won the class on the opening round before skipping the Jim Clark rally due to other rallying commitments.
Darren Gas won there on his debut in his Citroen C2 S1600 but by virtue of two podium positions Stefan Davis leads the championship in his ageing Ford Puma S1600.
Class R3 sees the defending champion and Jim Clark class winner, Matt Beebe, facing a host of far more modern machinery.
James Wozencroft will be hoping to overcome his early season problems in his Suzuki Swift whilst team-mate Lorna Smith actually heads the class standings as the moment. Tied with Lorna, and top of the Citroen C2R2 standings is Welshman Jason Pritchard, who followed up his Pirelli win with a second place result on the Jim Clark Rally.
Jason has undergone a lot of tarmac testing recently and as such will be looking for a strong run this weekend. But George Thomas, who won the Citroen battle last time out, should go well this weekend.
Despite a lack of funds putting a question mark over the rest of his season Vessa Mikkola, son of former world rally champion Hannu, heads to the island for the first time in his Honda Civic and should be a contender for class honours.
