NEXT weekend's Malcolm Wilson Rally will be hotly contested as Carnforth's Ian Joel/Graeme Wood are hoping to get their 2002 season off to a good start by collecting maximum points on the second round of the nine round British Trials and Rally Drivers Association Series.

Grizedale stage winner John Thompson will be taking on David Shuttleworth who finished second to him in December.

Wayne and Neill Sisson representing Arnside Ford are well placed with their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 4 and Morecambe's Phil Burton/Mick Fellows will once again be entertaining the crowds in classic MkII style.

As this is the first round of the Kirby Lonsdale Motor Club stage championship, registrations will be taken at signing on which takes place at M-Sport on the Friday evening.

The event starts in Cockermouth at 9am with the first cars into Grizedale at approximately 11.10pm after completing three stages in the Whinlatter forest complex.

After two stages in Grizedale the events heads back north and a repeat of the first three stages before the winner is announced on Cockermouth's Main Street at approximately 15.30pm.

For more up to the minute information log on to www.malcolmwilson.co.uk.