Champ Mark leads the list.

REIGNING champion Mark Watson heads the entry list when the Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Open Championship bursts back into life at Croft on Sunday.

Organisers PSM Motorsport have assembled a massive 111-car entry for the opening round of the 2009 series which again promises to be keenly contested.

Watson (Citroen Xsara) again looks the man to beat in the division class but Tommy Graham (Fiesta) could prove the biggest threat.

Former British Champion Julian Godfrey (Ford Fiesta) takes on Carl Jones' Citroen in Division 1A, while Irish rally legend Eugene Donnelly (Renault Megane) takes on reigning champion Stuart Emery (Peugeot 306) in Procar 2000.

Four-time Irish Tarmac Rally Champion Donnelly takes the wheel of a PSM Motorsport Renault Megane - which will be looked after by Great Ayton's former racer Iasn Horn and his team on the day - on his Open Championship debut.

"I am keen to compete in rallycross," he said, "and the Open Championship presents an ideal opportunity to dovetail my rallying commitments with a championship which produces great exposure for drivers."

Donnelly will also drive an RX150 off-road car at Croft.

Jamie Lea (Toyota), Allan Tapscott (Corsa) and Mike Howlin (Fiesta) will be top runners in the Super National class, while a full Procar 1600 sees Steve Heppenstall, Kenny Hall and local ace Darren Grimston in with a shout of glory.

Darlington's David Cox has another crack at Minicross action, while the fast-improving Kelly Bird from Stokesley aims to uphold local honour in the Fuchs Lubricants Junior Rallycross Challenge and Chris Birkbeck Rallyschool Junior Championship.

The programme is made up of action from the revivals, rally car, BMW Rear-Wheel Challenge and RX 150 buggy classes.

Among the competitors in the rally class is Redcar's Dave Craven (Mitsubishi Evo 6), fresh from his good performance in the forests on the weekend's Riponian Rally.

Stuart Leighton from Hartlepool (Vauxhall Nova F2) will be among his rivals.

Also in the field is Northallerton broadcaster and journalist Larry Carter, who has already used his Peugeot 206 for race and rally action at Croft over the past year.

Action commences with practice from 9.30am with racing straight afterwards.

Admission is pounds 10 for adults with accompanied children aged 15 or under admitted free.

With track activities reduced this season because of a recent legal ruling, fans are encouraged to support the region's only major motorsport facility.

CAPTION(S):

BACK IN ACTION: Dave Craven who, with co-driver Paul Hudson, brought his Mitsibushi Evo 6 home in 12th overall on the weekend's Riponian Stages Rally, will be in action at the Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Open Championship Picture by SIMON HARRISON