An Oxfordshire stately home makes its debut as the backdrop for one of next Sunday's special stages of this year's Network Q Rally of Great Britain.

Last year rally crews blasted through the grounds of Blenheim Palace, this year it is the turn of Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, to host the 160 crews screaming through the park from 8.35am to 11.25am.

Colin McRae, driving for Banbury's 555 Subaru World Rally Team, is out of the world title chase after his unlucky defeat in Australia, but will still be going all out for his fourth victory in the event. He won in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

The 30-year-old Scot will want to end the season on a high in his home race - when he will be partnered by brother Alister - especially as it is his last appearance for Subaru before switching to drive the new Ford Focus World Rally Car. McRae's defeat in Australia leaves Mitsubishi Lancer driver Tommi Makinen and Spaniard Carlos Sainz, in his Toyota Corolla, to fight it out for the drivers' crown.

Finn Makinen isn't underestimating the challenge: "After my win in Australia it is much easier, but in Britain it is always difficult. Last year, the conditions were so bad sometimes that you couldn't see over your bonnet!"

Makinen's Mitsubishi teammate Richard Burns, who lives in Kidlington, is fired up after coming close to winning for the second time this year in Australia.

The 27-year-old, who moves to the Subaru team next year, was the one man able to worry McRae on home ground last year and is determined to avenge his defeat this month. He said: "Naturally I want to win the rally anyway, but after Australia, I'm even more determined. I think it'll be a real battle and I'm looking forward to it."

Another top locally-based runner is Renault's recently-crowned British Rally champion Martin Rowe, who lives in Banbury.

Rowe, 27, said competition in the Formula 2 category was intense with Vauxhall, SEAT and Hyundai, Nissan, Volkswagen and Skoda putting in a special effort to knock Renault UK off its number one slot.

He said: "We are the British champions, so are there to be shot at."

Other local crews in action include company director Paul Snell, 37, of Woodstock, with co-driver Stephen Greenhill, 44, who are competing in a near-standard Ford Escort RS Cosworth. It will be the pair's third attempt on the rally.

Also using Ford power is Avon Cayzer, driving a Ford Escort RS2000, who is competing on home ground - his family own Cornbury Park. Ian Gwynne, of Brackley, is entered in a Subaru Legacy. This is the first time the rally has come to Cornbury Park and the route will include a mixture of driving surfaces from loose gravel to fast tarmac.

The course also include a series of spectacular high-speed jumps directly in front of Cornbury House, leading quickly into a series of tricky 90 degree gravel corner turns, on to a flying finish.

Rally fans will be able to tune into 87.7FM to keep up to date with all the action both at Cornbury and other special stages during the day, which include Silverstone, Millbrook proving ground, Towcester race course and Donington Park.

Advance tickets cost £8 for adults and free for children. On the day they will cost £10 for adults and £2 for children. The ticket hotline number is 01327 857273.

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