MORE than 100 crews from across the UK will head to Minehead on Saturday (April 8) as the Somerset Stages Rally returns to the resort for its annual event.

Organised by Burnham-on-Sea Motor Club and Minehead Motor Club, the event forms the second round of the Ravenol BTRDA Rally Series and the opening round of the Maxxis Tyres MSA English Rally Championship, which once again attracts some of the best rally drivers to the region.

Wearing the coveted number one on the door will be 2016 event winners Luke Francis and co-driver John H. Roberts from North Wales, who bring their potent Mitsubishi E9 down to the South West.

In the top 10 are local crew Martyn and Dawn England, from Ilminster.

The husband and wife team debuted their Ford Fiesta R5+ on the event last year and recorded an impressive set of times, finishing fourth overall in the process.

Other local entries include Michael Threlfall and Mulberry Threlfall-Eyres, from Taunton, who will compete in their Mitsubishi Evo X.

A little further down the list there is another Threlfall name, this time sons Harry and Alfie in a Renault Twingo R1. 

Harry was once a regular in the British Rally Championship, but returns to the sport after two years away to complete his University degree.

The bulk of the event mileage takes place in the Exmoor forests, and The Beach Hotel will house Rally Headquarters during the event.

Teams will base themselves along the Minehead seafront for the scheduled services throughout the day.

The field will be flagged away from the ceremonial start on Warren Road Seafront bright and early at 8am on Saturday.

For something a bit more fast paced, the spectator stage in the Kennisham forest complex is the place to go, offering the chance to witness the action twice during the event.

The first run through the stage kicks off at around 9.45am and provides around an hour and a half of action with the second run of the stage at 2pm.

Those fortunate enough to complete the event will get the chance to celebrate at 3.45pm with the ceremonial finish on the Minehead Seafront (Warren Road), with the winning crews spraying champagne to celebrate victory.