The popularity of Rally Isle of Man has once again been underlined by a huge entry of 155 cars for the 138.com-sponsored event.

Commencing on Thursday afternoon, the rally plays a pivotal role in as many as eight different championships.

Principal amongst them are the deciding rounds of the Prestone MSA British Rally Championship, with three drivers still in contention for the main title even after the recent withdrawal of Welshman Osian Pryce.

Sweden’s Fredrik Ã?hlin (CA1 Sport Skoda Fabia R5) tops the standings heading to Douglas after victories on the Border Counties, Pirelli International and Nicky Grist Stages rounds.

Realistically, two finishes should be enough to land him the title. He was holding onto a top-four position last year when his car’s engine let go on Friday lunchtime.

Should anything similar occur this time then Cork man Keith Cronin, driving for Malcolm Wilson’s MSport outfit in another Fiesta R5, could snatch the crown. Cronin is already a three-time British champion (2009, 2010 and 2012) and is the current Clonakilty Blackpudding Irish Tarmac Champion and FIA Celtic Rally Trophy title holder.

His Manx pedigree is equally strong, having won the 2010 event for the TEG Sport team, and he arrives in the island fresh from victory on last month’s Ulster Rally.

Needing to push to pressure Ã?hlin, the quiet Irishman is the clear pre-event favourite.

Welshman Matt Edwards (Swift Communications Ford) realistically needs both Ã?hlin and Cronin to non-finish both rounds of the double-header to claim the title. He impressed 12 months ago, finishing fifth on his first drive in an R5 car, and has shown consistent pace this year.

Aside from the BRC battle and with no championship concerns to worry about, eight-time Belgian rally champion Pieter Tsjoen will attempt to follow in the wheeltracks of Patrick Snijers (1988) and Armin Schwarz (1996) as debutant European event victors.

Similarly, Hugh Hunter, co-driven by top local Rob Fagg, bids to follow Tony Pond (1980) and Mark Higgins (2005) as the only drivers to complete the Manx National/Rally Isle of Man double in the same year. Both Tsjoen and Hunter will drive Fiesta R5s.

The event is also set to see a tremendous scrap for the British Junior Rally Championship title, with talented youngsters William Creighton of County Down (Peugeot 208), Irishman Callum Devine (Opel Adam) and Norway’s Oscar Solberg (Ford Fiesta), son of WRC regular Henning Solberg, targeting the title and significant prize fund that comes with it.