Round one of the 2013 Valvoline Motorsport Ireland Forest Rally championship kicks off on Sunday's West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally. An eighty strong field that includes a host of former champions and class winners as well as the welcome sight of new faces to the forest racing scene will ply their skills on the smooth stages in Banane and Reanahown, near New Castle West.

Top seed is claimed by Mick O'Brien/Greg Shinnors in their Focus WRC. O'Brien is a London resident but a native of Churchtown ( Co.Cork)  and is no stranger to the Irish forests, having  won the Cork Forest rally in 2009. Shinnors from Bruff, is an experienced co-driver, a triple Irish Forest Champion and BRC champion in 2010.

Owen Murphy/James O'Brien (Evo9) are second on the road. The Cork crew claimed the Forest title in 2011. Pat O'Connell/Mark Wiley are at three in the Evo9. The Cashel/Mitchelstown crew lifted the Forest crown in 2010.

Philip Morrow drives car number 4 (Evo9) with Jonny Hart on the notes. Vincent and JP Mc Aree, great supporters of the Valvoline make up a competitive top five.

The West Limerick Mini Stages Forest Rally should prove to be a great start to the 2013 Valvoline season and it promises to be another year of super racing for the 2013 title.