So Rally Trinidad 2011 is about to start and the ole talk has begun - Who is taking it this year? Here's how the teams look so far....

The WRC class is obviously the one to watch if you are looking for the overall winner. Here you have the Jamaican duo of Jeffrey Panton and Gary Gregg who are both gravel specialists and are both in Fords. Gregg may have a slight edge here with the later model Ford but Panton is a force behind the wheel and can close the gap on technology quite easily with a few good stages. Gregg won their last encounter in Rally Jamaica a few months back and surely Panton is eager to get one back on his countryman. Next in WRC there is the formidable Sean Gill who is driving the relatively new Suzuki SX4. Although the car is new the team is very experienced which will be a huge asset given the reliance on good pace noting on the long and technical stages. Gill managed second to Gregg in Jamaica on his first outing with the SX4 so we know he can keep pace. The WRC battle is tough to call at this point and its going to come down to the endurance of the cars, and the mindset of the drivers on how and when to push. Unfortunately the one name that is officially declared absent from this lineup is defending champion John Powell. Recently advertised as entered in the WRC Suby, a late delivery on the rear differential which was damaged in the Jamaica crash has resulted in the car not being able to make it. John will have to make a good attempt at running down the WRC front runners in the recently acquired Group N Mitsubishi Evo X.

Traditionally Group A (modified 4WD) has been the strongest competition in Trinidad, but with the absence of Ainsley Lochan and Barry Mckenzie - two pillars of local rallying, this class is made up of a few new comers who will probably not be challenging for top overall spot. But as they say anything can happen in Rallying and the names to watch in this group would be Rezan Mohammed who stepped up to 4WD for 2011 (Mitsubishi Evo IX), Bobby Ramdass who is one of the long time competitors of the club in a Mitsubishi Evo III. Also in this group are Fawaz Mohammed in a recently built car who may very well be on the pace, as well as Latiff Khan and Gobin Mahadeo in their Mitsubishi Evo VII, and Subaru STI respectively.

The real battle of 4WD has to be Group N. This class has taken on huge popularity with local drivers and is now considered to be the most competitive. First off the line in this group is none other than John Powell in the new Evo X. John is accustomed to being in front and this is probably what he will try to do from Stage 1. He has a new car and a new co-driver for this event so it remains to be seen how much local knowledge plays a part in John's bid to win RT2011. Following John in Group N are some of the best in local Rally talent, Rookie of the Year 2010 David Coelho in a Mitsubishi Evo IX is fast and calculated and usually pushes himself and the team to the fullest. Mark Williams in an Evo V is probably one of the fastest drivers in the entire field but may not have the machinery to match the other guys. Stuart Johnson and Cristian Bourne are both seasoned racers but their relative inexperience on the gravel may prove to be the difference. Both drivers however have managed very good times in 2010 in its truly anybody's guess in this group. Rounding out the group are the Heerah father and son team (better known as Tony 'de wrecker-man'), Tanko Baboolal, and new comer Nicholas Lee.

Moving onto 2WD, an interesting scenario has developed with Rezan moving up to 4WD. It has left Jamaican Bobby Marshall as the lone favourite, however in the first event for 2011, rookie Ryan Peyrau showed his racing experience and posted the fastest 2WD stage time for the day showing that his new Suzuki Swift Sport may have what it takes to de-throne 'Ricky Bobby'. Donald Gopaul in the Toyota Starlet is going to be biting at the heals of the top 2WD spot and will surely capitalize on any mistakes up front. Long time competitors Ansel Ali, Roger Mckenzie, and Shelford Robinson have all found some consistency and will be somewhere on the podium on Sunday. 2WD sees a return of Scott Sheppard in the Ford Escort, as well as Junior Phillips in a Hyundai Scoupe. These guys join a host of other 2WD drivers who have all been here before. Franklyn Seegobin, Vishal Dhanraj, James Harris, Sean Hinds, Sarah-Jane Gopaul, and Zak Waddell all round out the 2WD classes.

Rally Trinidad 2011 tops out at 31 teams, and included are some of the region's best. Come see the action, and follow the teams through one of the best weekend's in regional rally competition. RT2011 has begun.......