THE organisers of the 2015 Legend Fires North West Stages are gearing up for one of their best-ever events after an amazing response when the entry list was opened.

A total of 89 entries were received in the first 48 hours, leaving just 21 places up for grabs when the unseeded entry list was published earlier this week.

Back for an attempt at a hat-trick of wins is Cumbrian farmer Paul Bird in his ex-works Ford Focus 07 WRC.

The winner in 2013 and 2014, Bird will be favourite for victory but faces a top ten packed with talented drivers.

Blackburn businessman John Stone, long-time backer of the rally through his Legend Fires company, will have his spectacular Skoda Fabia WRC ready for action.

The winner in 2004, Stone has enjoyed a brilliant 2014 season in the REIS MSA Asphalt Championship, finishing runner-up.

Simpsons Skoda boss Neil Simpson returns in his Skoda Fabia S2000 12 months on from making his debut in the former factory car.

One of the most intriguing entries is that of Russell Morgan, father of BTCC ace Adam Morgan.

An outstanding rally driver in his own right, Morgan sold his distinctive orange-liveried Ciceley Ford Escort Mk1 last year but returns at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta R5.

Acknowledged as one of the best clubman stage rallies in the UK, the 2015 Legend Fires North West Stages is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7.

Now in its 17th year, the rally is a qualifying round of Northern Tarmacadam championship, the ANWCC Stage Rally Championship, the ANCC Rally Championship, the SD34 Rally and the Formula1000 Championships.

It is one of the best opportunities for clubman rally crews to experience something similar to a tough European Rally, with central servicing, a non-stop time schedule, thousands of spectators, and night-time stages.

The 2015 event will include five separate venues, giving a total of approximately 75 stage miles with a compact road route. The organisers represent some of the best motor clubs in the region and all are well versed in the art of providing tough and demanding rallies while still allowing competitors and spectators a full day’s enjoyment.

The aim is to offer a real challenge to the competitor, an action-packed day for spectators and raise a lot of money for a number of charities — they have raised around £90,000 for charity since the rally started.