A large crowd came out to see off the 150 driving crews after a two-year absence of the two-day rally.

Pete Doughty was the only top seed not to line out at the start, due to a crash his car suffered in a recent event.

It was almost a similar story for Boland. There are reports the Wexfordman needed to send off to Belfast for spare parts at the eleventh hour.

His car also suffered recent damage, on the way to fourth spot in last week's Ulster Rally.

The first stage from Longgraigue Crossroads to Curraghmore gets underway around 10:20.