EVENT sponsor John Stone has more reason than most to want a good result on the North West Stages.

For two years running, the Blackburn businessman has been prevented from making a challenge for victory by mechanical problems.

But Stone, who is managing director of Legend Fires at Whitebirk Industrial Estate, is hoping that his home event will provide the launchpad for another championship-winning season.

A string of top three results in 2003 saw the popular Metro 6R4 driver claim the ANWCC (Association of North West Car Clubs) Stage Rally title.

This year, he is contesting the Focus 3 Welsh National Tarmacadam series - and the North West Stages is the opening round.

He said: "Obviously, I would like to win, but it won't be easy. It's a tough event and there are some very good drivers out.

"It's important to get some points in the bag on the first round. Almost all the others are at venues I've never even spectated on - let alone driven - such as Epynt and Otterburn.

"I'm under no illusion that it will be a very steep learning curve. But, for me, that's the whole point - to become a better driver."

The immaculate ex-Tony Jannetta machine, built and prepared by Paul Megretton, starts at car four.

BLACKBURN'S Paul Upton has his first outing of 2004 on the North West Stages alongside David Cox in the Lancaster Honda-sponsored Civic VTi, while Rob Brown-Kenna also makes his first appearance since last year's Jim Clark Rally, driving his Vauxhall Nova with Chris Campbell on the maps.