Strong field assembles for 2019 Jersey Rally

The 2019 Jersey Rally gets underway on Friday with a strong entry of 80 teams set to battle it out in the biggest event in local motorsport.

Jersey pair Ross Le Noa and Domonic Volante head up the field as top seeds having claimed their first title in 2018.

Three-times winners Stevie Leonard and Sion Humphreys - whose last victory came in 2017 - are back and seeded fourth, while Dale Crowsley and John Vaudin are the top-ranked Guernsey car.

The two-day event will be contested over 28 stages, totalling some 100 miles, beginning in St Martin on Friday lunchtime and finishing in Longueville on Saturday afternoon.

Ross Le Noa and Domonic Volante won their maiden Jersey Rally crown in 2018. Credit: ITV Channel TV

In total, 80 teams will be on the startline this year, with 43 local drivers, 19 from the UK and 18 from Guernsey.

Once again, young Jersey driver Ed Fossey - who is partnered by Guernsey co-driver Will Rutherford - will be one to watch.

He has been competing around the country in forest events this year in his Yokohama Peugeot 208 R2 but returns with high hopes after impressing at his home event last time out.

The 21-year-old - who starts at car 14 - won back-to-back titles in the UK in 2017 and 2018 and was running as high as fifth 12 months ago before crashing out.

Jersey's Ed Fossey with Guernsey co-driver Will Rutherford. Credit: Jack Clayden Photography