Three-times winner Paul Bird and co-driver Andy Richardson will lead the way in their Subaru Impreza WRC on this weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally in Cumbria.

The top 11 entries in the 43-mile gravel rally are all in WRC machinery, with Damian Cole and Craig Drew at car two in their Hyundai Accent WRC followed by the Impreza WRC of Will Nicholls and Nick Broom.

The Malcolm Wilson Rally is the second round of the BTRDA Forest Rally Series and the first round of the Fiesta Sporting Trophy UK as well as being a qualifying round of the MSA English Rally Championship, the ANECCC Stage Rally Championship and the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship and has attracted a solid entry of 111 crews, with some late entries expected.

The event, jointly organised by Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club, Morecambe Car Club and West Cumbria Motor Sports Club, comprises of stages in Greystoke, Grizedale Forest and forestry in the North Lakes.

Timetable: Saturday 8.30am start Cockermouth High Street; 8.50: SS1 Hobcarton; 9.03: SS2 Comb; 9.23: SS3 Wythop; 10.14: SS4 Greystoke; 12.24: SS5 Grizedale South; 12.52: SS6 Grizedale North; 14.55: SS7 Greystoke 2; 15.55: Finish Cockermouth High Street.