SIMON MAUGER from the UK, only on the initial reserve list, now leads the way in the 25th Paperlix Jersey Rally after huge crowds enjoyed a spectacular evening of racing along Victoria Avenue last evening.

Mauger, with Brian Cammack navigating, has powered his Mark II Escort into a lead of 76 seconds over second-placed Stuart and Theresa Fossey, who left Jersey to take up regular rallying in the UK.

They, too, are in a Mark II Escort, as is Jersey’s Jeremy Baudains and navigator James Ollivro, who are just over a minute further behind.

They are followed by the Mark I Escorts of Jersey entries, Steve and Paul Leonard and Dean Le Bailly and Francis Touzel.

The Jersey Motor Cycle and Light Car club’s big event featured the Avenue leg, full of chicanes and using both East and West-bound carriageways turned out to be a real crowd pleaser, though several of the big names, including reigning championing Chris Le Bonniec, chasing his fifth Jersey Rally victory, were already out after sustaining some damage on the early stages in St Saviour.

Indeed, the consolation event for the rally trophy could be highly competitive today, with the likes of Dave Appleby, in his eye-catching Aston Martin V8 GT, also exiting.

In fact, only 51 of the initial 75 starters are still in the main race which concludes later this afternoon.

Leading times are: S Mauger 53.28 min; S Fossey 54.44; J Baudains 55.46; S Leonard 55.53; D Le Bailly 55.54.