Convinced to give it a go by locally-based friend and navigator, Ian Allsop, the pair are taking to the roads in the most modern rally car in the line-up.
The draw-back of that is its larger width for Guernsey’s narrow lanes.
‘It’s very tight and twisty,’ said Cole.
‘You’ve got to be very, very clean and tidy. A snap and a curve on the inside or outside and it’s a recipe for disaster.’
The pair will be taking out the Citroen C3 Rally2, the latest generation of modern rally car, and have been seeded fifth.
They ran the stages yesterday, but the car is not due to arrive until this morning.
Cole likened the Guernsey routes to routes he has previously taken on in the Isle of Man, with challenges including the hairpin on the Prevote route leaving little room for error.
He said he knew nothing about the local competition, but noted that Ross Le Noa’s experience on local roads could be a threat.
But after more than 30 years of rallying, it is about having fun.
‘I’ve always liked cars, I started navigating with a friend on road rallies, went to the local motor club and did quite a few of those and then I bought a Mark1 Golf in 1994 and started doing stage rallies.
‘As long as we enjoy the day, we’re winning,' said Cole.
Competing in the Isle of Wight rally last weekend was due to be a good practice for the pair, but the plug was pulled on the later stages because the wet weather made the routes too dangerous.
Allsop has navigated for Cole in the past and then stopped rallying when he moved to the island.
He, too, has never done the Guernsey Rally, but has helped on the set-up crew.
‘We just want to enjoy it, there’s really no pressure, Damian’s never been here before and the roads are quite unique.
‘This is something new for Damian, so we’ll just have fun and see how it goes, it’s something different and we’re just here to enjoy it.
‘I’m thankful for Damian to come over and do it for me.’
The ceremonial start of the Guernsey Rally takes place at the Peninsula Hotel at 12.35pm today from where the cars head out to the afternoon's Castel stages.
This evening sees the Saviour and Prevote stages from approximately 6.30pm before tomorrow morning’s Cobo and Talbot stages from 8am.
The final two routes tomorrow afternoon are Le Felconte and Rocquaine from 1.50pm.
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