The Imprezas will be driven by the guys who finished first and second overall last year - Jouni Arolainen and Tapio Suominen from Finland in the first car, with returning customers Brian Green and Fleur Pedersen from New Zealand in the second.

The third entry, a locally-supplied Group A Honda Integra will be crewed by Malaysia's James Russell and Jagdev Singh ... James' first outing in a two-wheel drive car.

After the Ceremonial Start in Pattaya on Friday evening, the crews will face two very long days with more than one thousand kilometers of driving. Provided the weather is dry, the stages will be hard packed, very fast and very challenging, passing through a variety of scenery including pineapple and water melon plantations.

The outright winner is awarded the prestigious King's Cup, and no doubt Jouni Arolainen will be wanting to retain his Champion status.