Record number of entries for three-day rally event

A record number of teams are set to compete in this year's Manx National Rally, which gets under way later.

Held over three days, this year's event has seen more than 200 applications for the 170 places available.

Manx Auto Sport chairman Mark Ellison said while the cap on places had meant there had been "quite a number of disappointed people", the number of cars taking part was still 20 more than in 2025.

"It's a very, very busy rally," he said. "I know it's the biggest entry that the Isle of Man has ever seen. It is probably one of the biggest tarmac entries in the UK, and it is very, very well supported."

The Manx National Rally is part of a round of five championships in the British Isles, and is the first of two rally events organised by the club on the island each year.

The are several classes within the event, including two-wheel drive cars, four-wheel drive cars and historic rally cars.

As well as providing a spectacle for rally fans, the event is also a valuable precursor to the TT for businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector, with about 1,000 people travelling to the island for it.

Ellison explained the variety of roads on the island made it "so special", ranging from no more than 6ft (1.8m) wide in place to 20ft (6m) in others - where the speeds reached were "quite immense".

"But they'll also go through a cattle grid - which is only 6ft – sometimes going through those at over 100mph," he said.

"So it's not necessarily the overall speed, but it's the speed in the confined spaces and that makes it interesting to the drivers and the co-drivers."

He said while all roads would be closed at designated times, the closures would be lifted earlier than specified if the stage in the area had been completed.

In a change from arrangements in previous years, competitors will be gathering at a new rally village at Andreas Airfield in the north of the island before and after the action each day, providing a chance for spectators to see the cars.

The event's "shakedown" session begins at 20:00 BST, with the competitive event starting on Friday.

Where are the road closures?

Thursday - Shakedown

20:00 – 23:30 Bride Church to the West Kimmeragh Road

Friday - Leg 1

09:15 – 13:45 Staarvey Roads section (special stage 1)