Penrith-based driver Paul Bird heads the entry list for the Cumbria-based Malcolm Wilson Rally on Saturday, March 1.

Three-times rally winner Bird and Kirkby Stephen co-driver Andy Richardson will lead the way in their Vent Axia-backed Subaru Impreza WRC as car number one for the 43-mile gravel event, which starts and finishes in Cockermouth town centre and is supported by the M-Sport boss.

The top 11 entries are all in WRC machinery and Bird and Richardson will be followed by Hereford's Damian Cole and Craig Drew in their Get Connected-sponsored Hyundai Accent WRC with Ventnor's Will Nicholls and Nick Broom in their Subaru Impreza WRC.

The event also boasts a strong local presence with Burton-in-Kendal's Wayne Sisson and Daniel Stone the next highest seeds at number 12 in their Mitsubishi Evo 9 followed by Hawkshead's David Shuttleworth and Simon Megaw at 14 in their Mitsubishi Evo 4 and rally regular, Millhead's Ian Joel and co-driver Graeme Wood at number 15 in their Ford Escort Cosworth.

The top seeds in the 1400 rally are Bridgnorth's Duncan Williams and Mark Freeman in the Proton Satria. Kirkby Stephen driver Jonathan Sproat will also be in action in his Vauxhall Corsa along with Windermere's Chris Huddlestone and Simon Goodwin in their Nova amongst other local entrants.

The Malcolm Wilson Rally is the second round of the BTRDA Forest Rally Series and the first round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK as well as being a qualifying round of the MSA English Rally Championship, the ANECCC Stage Rally Championship and the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship and has attracted a solid entry of 111 crews, with some late entries expected.

The event, jointly organised by Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club, Morecambe Car Club and West Cumbria Motor Sports Club, comprises of stages in Greystoke, Grizedale Forest and forestry in the North Lakes with the surfaces reported to be better than they ever have been.

There will be 17 registered Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK competitors taking part on the event including Appleby youngster Kris Hall and Penrith driver John Lloyd. Alastair Fisher, the nephew of the late Bertie, is also once to watch as he follows in the family tradition.