SIXTY and Worcestershire Motor Club’s Woodpecker Stages Rally will be running for the 26th year tomorrow around Ludlow.

Over the years, a variety of different cars have won the event, including Andy Burton’s Peugeot Cosworth six times, including in 2007.

Escorts have been triumphant on 10 occasions, the last being Richard Gough’s RS1800 back in 1996.

Mitsubishi have seen four victories with John Perrot’s Evo V taking the honours in 2004 and 2005.

The last was Shaun Gardener in 2006 but the first Mitsubishi to win was in 1994 through Steve Hill.

Subaru has never fared the best with only one win to date in 2001 when Theo Bengry took a much-deserved victory.

Burton took a couple more wins back in 1989 and 1995 with the Alfa Ferrari, while a single Opel Manta 400 victory was achieved by Graham Middleton in 1990.

This year, the top 10 are all capable of winning the event, but local favourite Burton is expected to set the pace.

Steve Perez has enrolled Burton junior to take his co-driver’s seat so a father-and-son battle is on the cards.

Damian Cole, currently second in the British Trials and Rally Drivers Asssociation Championship, will be up there and Mick O’Brian has set a scorching pace this year.

Hugh Hunter will not want to give away his BTRDA lead.

Frank Kelly aims to consolidate his lead in the BTRDA Silver Star Championship. The 1,400 cars start the event as Darren Pinchin aims to secure the BTRDA 1,400 Championship.