Stonehaven-based Groundwater – with regular navigator Jude Wylie of Jedburgh - have had solid results over recent rounds – a sixth placed finish on the “Scottish”, was followed by a seventh overall on the “Speyside”

Up and coming Scottish Borders' competitor Euan Thorburn is also out for a strong finish at the weekend to add to his fifth place last time out in his dad Alistair's Subaru Impreza. Once again he will be assisted by experienced navigator Claire Mole.

For the first time, the “Merrick” will start and finish from the centre of Newton Stewart, with competitors heading first to the 6.23 mile Loch Derry stage, before going on to tackle Drumjohn – at 8.83 miles.

The cars will then return to the central service area at Glencaird, near Glentrool village, before setting out for three stages at Arroch Hill (7.26 miles), Balloch (3.40 miles) and Linfern (3.25 miles).

It is then back to Glencaird for a 70 minute service break, before the final challenge of the day – the famous 14.04 mile Glentrool stage, which is being run in the opposite direction to last year.

As well as being the penultimate round of the County Saab Scottish series, the rally – jointly organised by the Machars and Scottish Sporting car clubs – is also a counter in the Beatsons Scottish Borders Rally Championship, the Palmerston Furniture Five of Clubs series, and the Motoscope Northern Historic Championship.