13/05/08 - Round four of the Pacenotes MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship gets underway this Saturday with the Maghera based KBB Tour of the Sperrins Rally!

Magherafelt and District Motor Club has once again received a superb entry for the closed road event, including entries from overseas visitors looking for a taste of Irish rallying. With an array of World Rally Car competitors, as well as a healthy mix of Group N and two wheel drive machinery, plenty of hot rallying action is guaranteed this Saturday!

It's the local Irish contingent that head the entry list, with two-times winners, Charlie Donnelly and Paddy Toner, leading the field away from Walsh's Hotel in their Toyota Corolla WRC. Their Sperrins crown has never been under so much threat, with numerous competitors capable of taking the challenge to the number one seeds.

Connor McCloskey, the sensation of this year's series, starts the event with number two on the door of his Impreza WRC. He currently leads the Pacenotes championship from Sean Devine, who starts at number three in his Impreza, while reigning champion Glenn Allen is at number four.

Fresh from finishing second overall at the Killarney International Rally of the Lakes, Derek McGarrity will be a major contender for overall honours. The Glengormley driver is a former Irish Tarmac and Northern Ireland champion, although it will be his first attempt at the Tour of the Sperrins since it switched to tarmac.

Reigning Irish Tarmac champion, Eugene Donnelly, also returns to action - this time behind the wheel of a potent Metro 6R4. The 20-year-old car may be behind the times in the technology stakes, but with Donnelly behind the wheel, a top result could be on the cards.

Scotland's David Bogie is also among the top 10 entrants with a Toyota Corolla WRC, and he could spring a surprise or two. Meanwhile, Seamus Heron has switched his Toyota for a Subaru, while Enniskillen's Raymond Johnston completes the top 10 ahead of George Robinson.

The Sunoco Fuels production category battle will be fierce, so expect to see some of the Group N leading lights trading times with a few WRC crews. Neil McCance, Cathal Rogers, Eoin McErlean, Rodney McKnight and Johnny McKenna are among those that will be battling for the trophy.

The Superdrive two wheel drive runners could also spring some surprises, especially if it stays dry. Wesley Patterson is no stranger to success, and he has an impressive Sperrins record. The Lisburn man will trade times with Draperstown's Camillus Bradley, with Aidan Toner, Declan McNaughton and Adrian Hetherington also capable of taking the top spot.

Regardless of where crews are seeded, there's only one number that matters - the finishing position! The action kicks off this Saturday, and event programmes are available from selected outlets in the area, with a full list of stockists available from www.tourofthesperrins.com.