THERE may be less than 30 starters on this weekend’s Morecambe Illuminations Rally, but what it lacks in quantity is made up for in quality.

The entry list contains some of the best-known names in north west road rallying, all ready to contest one of the sport’s most famous events.

Geoff Hall and Paul Bosdet start at car one in their Mini followed by the Vauxhall Astra of Steve Head and Stewart Merry.

Great Harwood-based navigator Jason Crook, winner of this year's Garstang and Preston Memorial with Steve Entwistle, is on the maps for third-seed Myles Gleave in a Peugeot 205.

Newly-crowned SD34 championship winner Terry Martin, from Blackburn, and Jerry Hettrick starts at 11 in their Proton Satria, one place behind 2008 HRCR historic rally champion Jon Wood, in his immaculate Mini Cooper S.

The Illuminations Rally was started in 1955, originally named the Eastwood Rally after local businessman Arnold Eastwood, and rapidly became known as one of the best road rallies in the country as part of the national Motoring News Championship.

This year’s event takes in a 200-mile route, starting an finishing from the Redwell Inn at Arkholme, with points on offer for the ANWCC Historic, Morecambe and Kirkby Lonsdale road rally championships.

Organisers Morecambe Car Club are also appealing for marshals next weekend. Volunteers should contact Cath, tel: 01524 791779 or 07798 8537.