THE strongest field for many years is expected to provide a feast of entertainment for motorsport fans as the 23rd Paperclix Jersey Rally once again takes to the roads.

Despite late changes to one stage, the impressive array of vehicles will still be tested to the full on the 130 miles of special stages.

With 30 cars due in from the UK, and four from Guernsey joining the 40 Jersey entries, it promises to be an entertaining battle to see if the local contingent can close the gap in terms of overall winners.

This currently stands at 12-10 to the visitors.

Last year’s winner Steve Fleck damaged his Subaru WRC – and his ribs – during the recent Epynt Stages event.

Although certain not to be driving the car he originally entered, there was some speculation that Fleck may still enter in another car.

He has until 9.30 am tomorrow before scrutineering and signing in closes.

Jersey’s Chris Le Bonniec, who is partnered this year by Sue Allen, has won three of the last five events.

He is seeded No 1.

He is likely to face fierce competition from, among others, Eian Pritchard from the UK.

Pritchard, driving a Subaru WRC, won the Matador Welsh Rally in April and was fourth overall on the Tour of Epynt a couple of weeks ago.

The entry list is one of the strongest for a number of years with some impressive vehicles on display, including half a dozen WRC cars and a couple of Metro 6R4s.

Jersey rally organiser Terry Gorvel said: ‘We have an excellent turnout with 40 Jersey cars and 30 from the UK with another four from Guernsey.

‘Among the entries are some very nice pieces of kit.

‘Spectators, who in the past have turned out in their thousands, should be in for a real treat.’ Other Jersey drivers to cheer on over the weekend include 1992 winner Jeremy Baudains and co-driver Ian Blandin, Steve Renouf and Tyson Flath and Mark Syvret and Chris Fox.

Although local knowledge is not worth as much as it use to be, as Mr Gorvel explained: ‘Home advantage is not worth that much.

The comprehensive precautionary notes tell drivers what the dangers are in all areas of the course, this includes all the bumps in the road, any little rocks that may stick out from walls and buildings and how far the next bend is.’ And as for the road conditions, a call to the Met Office revealed that drizzle overnight tonight was likely to result in competitors finding damp leaves on the road for tomorrow afternoon’s stages and possible slippery conditions.

With the forecast for Saturday sugesting fair with sunny periods, times could be even quicker.

Maps of all the stages can be found in the supplement in Thursday’s JEP.

There is a new start this year, The Parade.

The first car is expected at around 11.40 am, with Constable Simon Crowcraft sending the first car away at 12.35 pm.