Former World Rally Champion and current series leader Marcus Gronholm is set to lead a visit to the Island next week by the factory BP-Ford World Rally Team.

The team is the reigning Manufacturer World Champions, but with Gronholm locked in battle with Sebastien Loeb for the drivers' title, every avenue is being used in an attempt to land the crown before Gronholm retires at the end of the season.

After both drivers crashed out of Rally Japan last weekend, Gronholm has a four point advantage in the standings with only Rally Ireland and Wales Rally GB remaining.

FIA regulations ban the teams from testing in Ireland so the Isle of Man is seen as the nearest location in not only geography but also the type of roads and weather conditions they are likely to face.

Citroen tested on the Island last year for the same reasons.

The team will spend three days testing the Ford Focus WRC07 - Gronholm will drive for the first two days and team-mate Mikko Hirvonen on the third.