09-03-09: Round two of the Hankook MSA Northern Ireland Stage Rally Championship gets underway this Saturday with the McGrady Insurance Stages. And popularity of the series certainly isn't waning, as another full capacity entry of 120 crews will tackle the stages at Bishopscourt Race Circuit!

Based near Downpatrick, the event will see round one winner and current championship leader, Derek McGarrity, starting first on the road. Driving his Subaru Impreza WRC, the Glengormley driver was unstoppable at Kirkistown. He also won at Bishopscourt last year, and is the hot favourite for another rally victory.

Reigning champions, Connor McCloskey and Francis Regan, will be hot on their heels in their Ford Focus WRC. They finished second at the opening round, and were also second to McGarrity at Bishopscourt in 2008. The Kilrea driver is hoping to turn the tables on the former champion, and perhaps this time it will be third time lucky for McCloskey.

At number three, Denis Biggerstaff and Damian McCann bring their Impreza WRC to the fray. The crew were lucky to escape a fire at Kirkistown's opening round, where they finished fourth overall. Biggerstaff is another former champion, and has had mixed success at Bishopscourt over the years, but will be looking for another podium finish to add to his résumé.

Newcomers to the series, Seamus Leonard and Gerry McVeigh, will also be in the mix with their Impreza WRC, while another former champion, George Robinson, is in an older specification Impreza WRC. Impreza-fever continues at numbers six and seven, with both Ray Brammer and Emma McKinstry entered in similar cars.

In the Sunoco Fuels Group N battle, Raymond Johnston and Cathal Rogers resume battle at Bishopscourt. They were separated by just a couple of seconds at the opening round, so it will be interesting to see who emerges on top at round two. Mark Massey and John McGlaughlin will also be vying for the top spot, as will 2008 Group N winner, Stephen Kelly.

The battle for Superdrive two-wheel drive honours will be equally intense, and event sponsor, Fintan McGrady, starts the event as the top seed among the 2WD competitors. He will have his hands full though, as he tries to fight off reigning champion James Kennedy, as well as a host of other drivers.

And the new Montgomery Motorsport Historic category has received eight entries. Headed by Philip Hunter's Escort, Alan Jardine and Derek Boyd will again be tussling for the number one slot.

The McGrady Insurance Rally will feature six stages, all based within the confines of Bishopscourt Race Circuit. The first car is due to leave the start line shortly after 9am.