After the huge success of last year's Wales Rally GB its no surprise to see this year's event is over subscribed, with a maximum 160 car entry, with 72 entries in the International and 88 in the 3 day National rally.

With both driver's title and manufacturer's crown already settled, the gloves are off in the Welsh forests, as the 2014 World Rally Championship draws to a close.

23 special stages in some of the best forests in world rallying are on offer after Thursday nights ceremonial start in Colwyn Bay

Both Volkswagen drivers Sebastian Ogier and Jari Mati Latvala will be wanting to sign off with a victory in Wales, but they won't have it all their own way as British interest is well and truly stirred, with Kris Meeke in the factory Citroen DS3 WRC. Meeke has had a mixed year, but has showed he can take the fight to both Latvala and Ogier, and on home ground with huge British support the Irishman might just spring a surprise.

Ford's rising star Welshman Elfyn Evans has again turned in some inspired performances on his first full year in the WRC. The Dolgellau resident will be on home ground on Friday's opening leg, and team boss Malcolm has told the very likeable Evans that he can push from the off. And again with huge home support, like Meeke he's more than capable of mixing it at the head of the field.

This could well be Evans' team mate Mikko Hirvonen's final drive for the blue oval team, fresh from a superb 3rd place finish on the recent Rally Spain, so the Finn will be looking to impress.

Another rumoured to be on his final outing, is Citroen,s Mads Ostberg, the Norweigian as had a poor year by his high standards.

For the Shell Oils Hyundai team it has been a fantastic first year on their return to the WRC.

Thierry Neuville will be looking for victory to finish the year on a high. In the i20WRC backing up the Belgian will be Finn Juho Hanninen and the impressive New Zealander Hayden Paddon. Paddon in particular has shown good consistency and is one to watch in the future.

Photo courtesy of rallycaptures.com