Aigner is aware that the odds are against him and as such he is planning to go for broke: "There's nothing left to do for me but to go on an all-out attack from the very start," confirmed the Austrian.

"But of course I'm at a disadvantage with Hanninen because I haven't competed in a rally for quite a long time – whereas he's match fit. This could be seen in Japan recently, where he was way back in the early stages, but then clinched the win after all. That's how he got into this very good starting position of his."

In total 25 runners will be able to score P-WRC points, with the likes of Jari Ketomaa, Martin Prokop, Patrik Sandell, Fumio Nutahara and Armindo Araujo all likely to figure strongly.

There are also a number of 'guest' entrants, including BRC regulars Guy Wilks, Mark Higgins and his brother David.

Indeed six of the P-WRC runners will be able to score points in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship - with Hanninen, Flodin and Eyvind Brynildsen also eligible.

Martin Rauam meanwhile will not compete due to economic reasons and his place will be taken by Egon Kaur. Darren Gass will also miss the round after sustaining an injury. He was due to compete for points in the BRC and the P-WRC.


Other significant entries:

80 plus crews due to start.

Around 85 crews are due to start the Wales Rally GB and amongst them there are no fewer than 21 WRC cars, with five of the manufacturer teams represented; the Munchi's Ford team not taking part in the Welsh forests.

Away from the manufacturer teams, Conrad Rautenbach and Sebatien Ogier will be at the wheel of semi-privateer Citroen C4s, while Mads Ostberg, Eamonn Boland and Gareth Jones will run Subaru Imprezas.

MotoGP star Valentino Rossi also returns to Rally GB in an M-Sport run Focus WRC supporting the BBC Children in Need appeal. He will be one of seven entries under the Stobart banner.

Of the rest, as well as the 25 crews in the P-WRC, another 39 will also take in the round.

17 will be eligible to score points in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship with three drivers - David Higgins, Mark Higgins and Guy Wilks – still in contention for the title. WRGB is also the final round of the Fiesta SportingTrophy International.

Urmo Aava - who was due to compete in a Citroen C4 WRC – has had to withdraw his entry.


Route:

Although the rally remains based in south Wales, major changes take competitors back to the classic mid-Wales forests of Hafren and Myherin for the first time in eight years. As a result the Brechfa Forest tests have been dropped. The start and finish remains in Cardiff with the service park again in Swansea's marina area, 70km away. The new mileage forms the bulk of the opening day, with two short spectator friendly tests at Walters Arena in Rheola Forest completing the action.