YORK driver Warren Philliskirk will be hellbent on a fifth victory in the Wold Construction North Humberside Forest Rally tomorrow.

He and co-driver Eurig Evans (Newcastle Emlyn) head the entry list for this year's event in their MG Metro 6R4.

After a couple of retirements in recent years, they stormed back to take the runners-up spot in 2005 and must be regarded as one of the favourites this time.

Sponsored by Wold Construction for the second consecutive year, the North Humberside Forest Rally is based at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Willerby.

The rally is the third round of the Silverstone Competition Tyres BTRDA Rally Series, incorporating the Silverstone Tyres Gold Star, Silverstone Tyres Silver Star & Xspec 1400 Championships.

The Mitsubishi Lancer of defending Gold Star champions, Roger Chilman (Hereford) and Andrew Sankey (Ludlow) will follow Philliskirk's Metro away from the start, with the Ford Escort WRC of Hugh Hunter (Ruthin) and Andy Marchbank (Little Sutton) at No 3.

Contenders for the Xspec 1400 Championship run at the front of the field on the event. The first car to be flagged away from the start in Willerby at 8am will be the Vauxhall Corsa of series leaders Neil Weaver (Ludlow) and Nick Thornton (Holmfirth).

They have scored maximum points on their first two outings of the season and will be hoping to capitalise on their early advantage. However, they have not been able to shake off Malcolm Hague (Warrington) and Dave Read (Northwich) whose Ford Escort has finished just behind them on both occasions.

The competition takes place in the North York Forests, where power is all-important.

The class-based MSA English Rally Championship is an addition to the calendar for the first time this year and, running for the most part within the framework of the BTRDA Rally Series, includes the Wold Construction North Humberside Forest Rally.

As crews arrive on Humberside, Neil Weaver's Corsa is tying for the lead with the Subaru Impreza of Malton Motor Club's John Bannister.

Among local drivers taking part are Alan Richardson and Christopher Roe in their Vauxhall Nova, Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley (Mitsubishi Lancer), Steve Bannister and Kevin Rae (Ford Escort), Gavin Read and Craig Jenkinson (Subaru Impreza), Colin Gent and Martyn Stephenson (Honda Civic), Matthew Smith and Darren Smith (Peugeot 205) and Jon Finch and Paul Vasey (BMW).

The rally finish is back at at Ramada Jarvis in Willerby where the first car is due to arrive soon after 5pm.

Where to catch the action

The public can only watch at the Cropton and Dalby stages in the North Yorkshire Forests, as well as the start and finish at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Willerby.

The first car is expected at the Cropton stages at 10.10am abd 2.55pm.

There will be no parking allowed at Stape.

The Dalby stage is expected to get underway at 1.50pm.

The Forest Drive will be operating a one-way system and Thornton-le-Dale is the only way in for spectators. Parking is at Low Dalby village. The woodyard is not on the stage.

The Dalby Forest Drive will be closed north of Low Dalby village except for access for competitiors, service/ management vehicles and officials. The car parking will be £10 per car.

Updated: 10:28 Friday, March 24, 2006