THE biggest Grizedale Stages Rally in years will tear through South Lakes on Saturday.

Organisers have been boosted by a full entry weeks ahead of the deadline, eliminating usual concerns over the race’s viability.

Whereas in recent years there has been an anxious wait to hit the minimum car numbers, the 2015 running through the forests and moors of South Cumbria has been over-subscribed.

Clerk of the course, Graham Parker, has been delighted by the level of interest, feeling it vindicates the organisers’ decision to continue to run the even through several lean years.

He said: “We’re oversubscribed and that’s not been the case for a few years. We’ve managed to keep it going and this year has justified that decision.

“We’ll run with the maximum 75 cars, that’s pretty much guaranteed.

“The first week we opened entries, we knew it was going to be a bit special. It just feels like a justification for all the effort we have put in over the last few years when it has been difficult to make it run financially.

“There is a lot of satisfaction, but I wouldn’t want to gloat, because anything can change. It certainly makes organisation easier though, knowing that it is going to happen.

“We always used to have that niggle about whether we were going to be able to run.”

The rally will start from Coniston as usual, but will see most activity based at Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, near Ambleside, which was previously just only for service.

Cars will race twice through two stages in Grizedale, separated by an hour, covering 41 stages miles on the way to the finish line.

Parker is hopeful spectators will enjoy the experience in Grizedale, and said: “It’s guaranteed to be gorgeous weather!

“Wherever people go to watch, they get two opportunities as well. The stages are in great condition, so it should be a good spectacle.”

Last year’s champion Paul Bird will not line up at the start this time round, but there are several high-calibre contenders for overall honours.

Among them will be top seed Steve Petch and number two car David Wright, both in high-powered Ford Fiestas, which are seen as the best cars available in clubman rallies.

Parker added: “We’ve always traditionally had a strong top 10. For a clubman’s event, it has always been right up there.

“The latest cars are the Fiesta R5s and we’ve got five or six of those in there.

“We’ve got the top drivers in the top cars.

“It’s difficult to pick a winner, but in that sense it’s probably more exciting because there isn’t an obvious candidate.”

Cars will roll out of Coniston at 9.30am, with the last of the runners expected at the finish soon after 3pm. There will be various spectator car parks signposted within Grizedale Forest.