With all these pre-event strategies going on, one would be forgiven for forgetting about the other class battles raging through the field.
In Rally 2, for Group N cars under 2000cc, the works Suzuki Swifts of Lorna Smith and James Wozencroft head reigning champion Matt Beebe, but even Vesa Mikkola, down in seventh position, is still mathematically in with a chance at the title.
Although running on one of the tightest budgets Beebe has the psychological advantage, having backed up a class win in 2005 with winning the championship on the 2006 running of this prestigious event.
The S1600 battle was being fought out between ‘Mr Perseverance’, Stefan Davis and the two Citroen C2 pilots, Conrad Rautenbach and Darren Gass. However Rautenbach has upgraded to an Xsara WRC car for this event leaving Davis and his Dayglo Orange Puma to battle it out against the young Irishman.
One thing is for sure though, even if choosing title favourites is a difficult choice, there is guaranteed to be plenty of action when the 120 plus entry field takes to the start ramp in Cardiff on Thursday night.
With three days of action, covering well over 225 competitive miles through some of the best stages in South Wales, including a welcome return for some true night stages, the Wales Rally GB 2007 is sure to be a real test of man and machine - and who ever returns to Cardiff on top come Sunday afternoon will be a truly deserving winner.
