Rally world savours Manx event, but marshals needed

One of the biggest fields ever in four-wheeled motor sport in the Island is proving a big draw for rally fans.

More than 120 crews from across the British Isles will compete in the IM Gold National Rally - part of the REIS championship - next Friday and Saturday (May 8th & 9th).

The 14 stages cover 60 miles of closed Island roads - making the event a major logistical challenge for organisers.

They're appealing to fans to volunteer as marshals - as 400 are needed for all stages to be run.

You can sign-on this weekend at the Strand shopping centre in Douglas and on bank holiday Monday at Braddan parish day.

Clerk of the course Mark Ellison says two factors have driven the rally's recent expansion:

Next week signing-on is at rally HQ in the Hailwood Centre behind the Grandstand on Wednesday and Thursday (May 6th & 7th).

An would-be marshals in the south can sign-on at the Cherry Orchard in Port Erin next Wednesday night from 6.30pm.