LANCASHIRE'S hopes of glory on the Network Q rest on Neil Wearden's shoulders.

The highly-rated Poulton-le-Fylde driver will drive a 2001-specification Subaru Impreza WRC, run under the banner of the Prodrive Allstars team, on his home event.

Wearden was scheduled to drive for the Italian-based 22 Motorsport team, but they withdrew at the last-minute, citing insurance problems.

However, the Subaru factory team Prodrive stepped in with the offer of a car.

"All of the insurance companies suddenly pulled out of the market, leaving 22 Motorsport with no choice but to withdraw," explained Wearden, who will be partnered by Trevor Agnew.

"Prodrive was aware of the problem and offered us Toshi Arai's Rally Australia car, which we were delighted to accept. The car will be run by Prodrive Allstars team and has been converted to customer specification."

Wearden tested the car in mid-Wales last week, and attended Richard Burns' final pre-event 'shakedown' in order to learn more about the car.

He said: "This year I've driven a Peugeot 206WRC, a Toyota Corolla WRC and now and Impreza. All three have very different characteristics, and it was good to get some mileage in before the start of the rally.

"Having got used to driving the Subaru over the same road, we'll need to use the first day of the rally to settle into the car, before we increase our pace and attempt to set some top times.

"The build up to the Rally of Great Britain has been good, and attending Richard Burns's test was very beneficial. Nobody knows an Impreza better that he does, and to be able to ask him about set-up and tyre selection is like asking Michael Owen about football."