RALLYING: HIGH-SPEED rally action returns to the Wirral this weekend when Wallasey Motor Club stages its popular 2003 RallyAction Promenade Stages.

With support from Wirral Council, the rally offers a unique challenge along the New Brighton closed-road circuit and with easy viewing it is very popular with spectators.

This year's 90-car capacity entry has strength in depth with cars competing in four classes. There will be six MG Metro 6R4s on show, headed by ninetimes Promenade victor John Price.

Double rally winner Mike Oates will be leading the other challengers in an ex-Petter Solberg Impreza WRC S8 while Welsh Tarmacadam Rally Champion Damian Cole heads the ultra-quick Darrian brigade.

John and Caroline Price will lead the field away on Saturday as he chases a hat-trick of successive victories. Fellow Metro drivers Karl Broad, Peter Stojanov and John Stone will all pose a threat in an event which promises to be one of the most closely-fought in its 23-year history.

In the classes, it has to be a good bet to expect one of the Metros to take the over two litre category, but expect Matt Speed, Brian Hardman and Mark Bonner to fight it out in the up to two litre class.

Local driver Dave Burns, in his BAT Motorsport Vauxhall Corsa, is the favourite in the 1600 class but this year's entry is likely to provide some serious competition with Graham Muter's very quick Mk2 Escort, Chris Platt's similar Corsa and the 1600 Puma Kit Car of John Stant.

The 1400 category top contenders include Welshman Carl Fricker in a Vauxhall Nova, with John Clayton and Peter Tweedle expected to take up the challenge.

The action gets under way on Friday evening (July 25) from 6.00pm with scrutineering of all 90 cars at Fort Perch Rock on New Brighton Promenade.

On Saturday the rally action starts from 8.30am.

For £5.00 per car or £3.00 on foot, spectators get to see a full day's rallying with 10 different tests for the drivers. The last car is expected to finish around 6.00pm.

Track marshals with previous experience are urged to contact Wallasey MC's Chief Marshal Chris Caldecott via e-mail on marshal@rallying.demon.co.uk.