MORE than 120 crews will this weekend use the forest tracks in and around the Grizedale Forest complex for the Hargreaves supported Grizedale Stages Rally run by Furness Motor Club.

Last year's winner John Thompson/Mal Capstick leads the event away from their base in Coniston, closely followed by Steve Petch/JohnRichardson from County Durham and local heroes and 2001 KLMC Stage Rally Champions David Shuttleworth/Stephen Perie in their Mitsubishi Evolution 4 and 1999 champion Phil Burton/Mick Fallows in the Escort MkII.

Expensive machinery can be seen throughout the field with no less than 15 various Evolutions of the Mitsubishi, 13 Cosworths, Imprezas, Escort Mk II's, Peugeot 205s Novas. Felicias and even a Land Rover Defender and a Puma GT. Entries have come from all-over Britain and the Isle of Man, which has lead to the enviable position of the event being over-subscribed and a reserve list since mid- November.

Darren Atkinson might have already taken the 2002 PropPrep sponsored KLMC title for 2002 but will be seen on Saturday mixing it with Mr MomsterMob Paul Bird, Cockermouth's Paul Benn, the ever-consistant Trevor Smith and Appleby's Dougi Hall looking for revenge after his non-finish on Mull in the Evo 6 with Penrith's Steve Egglestone in the co-driver's seat.

Kendal brother Paul and Rick Fry are out for their annual tussle the elements as is 2000 KLMC winner Kendal's Paul Miller who is being guided' by Lakeland Radio's Carl Hartley on his first trip into Grizedale.

Further down the entry list Graham Gaskell/Shane Sephton are hoping to continue their finishing record in the Nova Sr as are Staveley's father and son team of Edward and David Meek who are returning to the local scene after contesting several national BTRDA events in the Skoda Felicia.

For more spectator information including the best places to watch, go to www.grizedalestages.co.uk