Simpson returns in his quest to take back-to-back titles, while David Kynaston and Andy Russell would dearly love to add another to their first which came in 2006. The Devonian crew arrive on the island as Championship leaders following a maximum score on Epynt but will be under no illusions as to the task facing them.
Joining the ranks of Metro 6R4 crews, John Stone and Lee Carter, as well as Mark Jasper and Don Whyatt have cars which, like that of the Prices, are without doubt the quickest and smartest examples still competing at the highest level. The sound of the normally aspirated V6 engine being driven flat-out has always been a great crowd-pleaser and will bring spectators out in droves.
Mitsubishi Lancers appear in the hands of Tommi Graham and Mike Bailey, who were third overall in the 2007 Asphalt Championship, and former Group N winners Chris Marshall and Simon Hunter, whilst there is a solitary Ford Escort Cosworth for Lee Perry and Peter
Williams.
Robert Tout leads the Group N runners in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9, while the battle for two-wheel drive honours is shaping up to be quite some contest. An excellent run over Epynt saw Simon Mauger and Brian Cammack bring their Ford Escort RS home to 5th in the points, with the similar car of Graham Hollis and Ashley Trimble in close attendance. The Darrian T90 of Ashley Field and Janice Hooley and David West (Peugeot 306 Maxi) are also in there fighting.
West leads the ‘Front-Wheel Drive' category from the Honda Civic Type ‘R' of Richard Butler and Matt Dubber, with Championship newcomers Tracey-Louise and Garry Muir next in their Citroen AX.
Meanwhile, Mauger, Hollis and Field occupy the first three ‘Rear-Wheel Drive' places, ahead of the Vauxhall Astra RWD of Geoff Glover and Charlie Turner and Ian Copping's Ford Fiesta RWD.
Dave Price (Ford Escort MkVI RWD) suffered a fraught start to the season with retirement on Epynt after a hub broke on the second stage. His efforts to get amongst the ‘movers and shakers' in the ‘Rear-Wheel Drive' category will start again on the Manx.
MG ZRs feature prominently in the small-engine classes, with Niki Hartley leading N1 and Martin Newsonand Roland Jones neck and neck in A5.
