The Guernsey Rally chairman and his team have been months at work planning the seventh edition, which runs over 50.4 stage miles from Friday to Saturday.
That is slightly shorter than last year’s rally. But with a record 39 crews, every stage either new or bringing in different elements to previous routes, and several enthusiastic new officials doing their best to drive the event forward, it should not feel like a step down.
Marshall has highlighted that a contingent from Ireland – one of Europe’s rallying hotspots, home to iconic stages like Moll’s Gap and Atlantic Drive – are coming over wanting to watch.
‘We’re getting people coming over from Ireland and they’re going to probably marshal and help as well,’ he said.
‘It’s getting noticed all over the place – I think last year’s rally really helped.’
After all, following the drama of protests during the 2023 edition and a cancellation the following year, the 2025 rally could barely have gone better.
‘It was just an amazing weekend really,’ Marshall added of the spectacle spanning 58 stage miles.
‘Everything went right. No stages were dropped, every mile was raced, and yeah, everybody enjoyed it.
‘I’ve never seen so many spectators – hundreds and hundreds of them.’
This year spectators will be treated to another unpredictable affair over the seven stages, though the late withdrawal of UK asphalt champion Sam Touzel makes the path significantly clearer for Ross Le Noa to extend his perfect run of titles.
Craig Robert remains home favourite after making the top two last year.
‘Ross Le Noa’s going for his seventh in a row.
‘But you have to give Craig a big shout, because he came second last year.
‘There’s Ed Fossey and Daryl Morris. It could be anyone – they’re the top four from last year, but anyone can win it.
‘It all depends on reliability and keeping in the rally, really.’
Six-time past UK champion Damian Cole – who will have a local co-driver in Ian Allsop – is only seeded fifth but provides an intriguing threat to the established competitors on his debut.
Sports tourism will be a winner regardless, with the rally once again brining visitors en masse to the island during a shoulder month.
Marshall has welcomed a grant from the Tourism Management Board towards the event, for which there will be 14 all or part-Jersey crews, plus four from the UK.
‘We’ve got the crews on top, which could be anyone from two to 10 – depends on who they bring.
‘Some bring girlfriends, wives, whatever, and they make a holiday of it.’
He is also grateful to Brittany Ferries for putting on an extra Sunday morning return to Jersey, enabling visitors to return with their cars and not need to stay in the island for a whole week.
‘If they didn’t have that boat, we wouldn’t have Jersey crews, end of.
‘Brittany Ferries have come on board and really done a stunning job there.’
As Marshall told the Guernsey Press earlier this month, the rally will retain the seven-stage format that worked so well last year.
The competition starts with a Friday afternoon stage before two more in the evening.
Saturday morning and afternoon will each feature two stages, including plenty of completely new elements for competitors.
Contributing to the atmosphere last year was a ceremonial start at the Peninsula Hotel led by none other than three-time world touring cars champion Andy Priaulx.
This will be repeated this year, together with long-term motorsport commentator Lee Corbet serving as compere.
‘I think that was quite popular last time [and will be again] – provided the weather’s alright, of course.’
Although Warren Boscher has stepped down as chief marshal after five years’ excellent service, the trio of Nick Ferbrache, Luis Merrien, Peter Snell will be joining forces to take on the role.
‘We’ve had to fill Warren’s boots.
‘We’re lucky we’ve got three new guys doing it. They’ve done a brilliant job, an absolutely brilliant job.’
Enthusiastic youngster Aidan Nuttall is also coming in as the chief stage co-ordinator.
In order to move with the times, organisers have needed to meet standards relating to environmental responsibility.
They have achieved exactly that, earning the Motorsport UK Sustainability Accreditation, which Marshall described as ‘excellent recognition’.
‘Every rally now has got to be sustainable.’
They are taking on Gordon Snell as environmental champion as they push to carbon offset the rally – and not just the cars competing.
‘We’ve had to do a load of paperwork and we’ve had to introduce an environmental champion.
‘His job is to do the carbon offset of the rally as a total ... we’re talking safety vehicles, spectators and service crew.
‘It’s a big thing. The carbon offset will be calculated and that’ll be offset against the total we give to the environment.’
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