ONE of the most spectacular and unpredictable sporting events of the year revs into action at Knockhill tomorrow.

Instead of the sound of roaring car or bike engines, the hills around the iconic racing circuit will be alive with the noise of rally cars when they take part in the opening round of the 2017 Scottish Tarmack Rally Championship.

A record entry of 66 will take part in the event and it is expected that crews and rally fans from all four corners of the country will converge on Knockhill for more than 35 miles of challenging rally stages.

The conventional race track will be utilised in both directions for the rally, as will the perimeter road and the hillside rally stage, to establish some stages of almost five miles, some of which were used on the iconic McRae Rally Challenge in 2015.

Stuart Gray, director of events at Knockhill, said: “The final entry list is out and there is a record entry of 66, with a fantastic selection of rally cars of all types and models from world rally cars, to iconic Ford Mk 2 Escorts and a Vauxhall Chevette, 14 Fords including a Sierra Cosworth, Puma, KA, Fiestas and of course Escorts! Subaru Imprezas and Mitsubishi Evos are also plentiful, as are some top-line Skodas, including Ross Marshall’s new S2500 and Stuart Walker’s S2000. Its possibly one of the best line-up of rally crews ever seen at Knockhill.

“This is the first rally of the year but not the last, as Knockhill have landed a round of the prestigious Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship in December which will bring up to 70 crews from all over the UK.”

The Motorsport News Circuit Rally Championship, in association with MSVR, is now in its third season and Knockhill is one of seven of the country’s finest racing circuits that will feature on the eight-round calendar.

Circuit rallying features up to 100 cars competing against the clock across a variety of bespoke rally stages, incorporating different parts of the race circuit, including paddocks and perimeter roads.

Sections of track are run in both directions and include challenges such as water splashes and jumps.

Gray added: “Knockhill has a very long pedigree of hosting rally events and stages of major rallies and we know the combination of stage miles here will be different and exciting for the crews and spectators alike. As recently as 2015, legends such as Stig Blomquist, Hannu Mikkola, Alistair McRae and BTCC stars Gordon Shedden and Aiden Moffat all took part in the McRae Rally Challenge and this event will mirror the stage miles used on that event.”

Admission is £12. The event starts at 8.31am for the first of 10 stages, with gates opening from 7.30am. For more information email stuartg@knockhill.co.uk or call 01383 723337.