Tomorrow's Trade Distribution Stages Rally is the penultimate round of the Eurocars Motorsport Manx Rally Championship, and in the absence of Mark and Eunice Cubbon, other crews have a chance to grab the limelight.

Principal among them is Steve Colley (pictured), who probably starts as favourite for the 12-stage off-road event.

The former trials star has never won a rally outright (though he was once denied only by a jump start penalty), and with co-driver Liz Humphreys has been champing at the bit to fit another event into his hectic schedule.

His appetite was whetted by a brilliant third overall on the Jaks Rally at the start of the year on their first run in the car.

They will lead the 25-car field into action from St Johns at 8.45 tomorrow morning, with the event covering four runs each at Glion Gill off the Brandywell Road, and South Barrule and Archallgan plantations.

The two-wheel drive battle looks fascinating.

With reigning Manx champion Richard Curphey driving a hired PACE Vauxhall Astra, rather than his own usual version, it may be Andrew Leece who sets the pace in his Vauxhall Astra after strong recent form since switching to the new car.

Nigel Cannell (Vauxhall Corsa) will also bid to uphold front-wheel drive honours against a trio of rear-driven 4Hire Ford Escorts for Ian and Connor Corkill and Glenn Leece.