THIS Sunday’s Stobart Rail Pendragon Stages is an opportunity for Cumbrian crews to measure themselves against the best as they trade tenths of seconds over the 84-mile route, writes Katy Mashiter.

With last year's winner William Stobart not taking part, there will be a new name on the trophy Penrith farmer Paul Bird will be the first on to the stages followed by a host of local crews including Ian Joel, Darren Aktinson, Marcus Noble, Trevor Smith, Mark Borthwick and Dave Thwaites.

Windermere’s Jane Clark, who co-drives in the Fayer Garden Hotel sponsored Escort Mk 11 of Neil Mashiter, said: “ We have a good lead in the www.evoparts.org Stage Championship at the moment, lets just hope that we are in a similar position on Sunday night.

“This is one of the few times we meet so many of the best of local crews and it is always a bit nerveracking.”

After crashing out on last year's Pendragon, Kendal’s Paul Miller will be looking for a better event as he uses the event as a shakedown for the Tour of Mull Rally in October.

The infamous Mark Shaw, better known as Bootsy, will be on view in his yellow Talbot Sunbeam, pleasing the crowds with his ‘maximum attack’ style.

The event uses Warcop and Lowther Park and for this year will have added mileage in the Lowther section.

Lowther is where the spectators can witness the action for themselves and the 85-car field will be there from 9.20 and again at 13.10.

There will also be demonstration runs, Car Club Stands and refreshments available all day.

For more information go to www.pendragonstages.co.uk Kirkby Lonsdale Motor Club member Jon Wood finished a brilliant second overall on the inugural Tour of Wessex rally.

Wood, from Bolton le-Sands, and navigator Cath Woodman bnrought their Morris Cooper home just under a minute behind winners Andy Lane and Paul Robinson's Mercedes 300