Stevie Brown will make a return to the SRC this weekend, as he teams up with regular co-driver Ian Morrison.

They will tackle the Merrick Forests stages - round seven of the competition.

Brown, who has been hailed as one of Scotland's brightest rallying stars, is hoping to put the mechanical woes which have plagued much of his season behind him.

He said: "We've done four events trying to trace a fault with the car, we now think that we've managed to get it sorted and are looking forward to using the Merrick as a high speed test."

Last year, Brown and Morrison finished 14th overall, first two wheel drive car and won their class, a feat they are hoping to repeat this year.

Stevie explained: "Last year was particularly special as our car, an old Vauxhall Nova, was so basic and we were beating cars that should have been taking time from us comfortably.

"The Fiesta ST we've got this year is a much better car, but the competition has also moved on and now many of the drivers are in newer, faster machinery.

"So for sure it will still be as hard to beat the guys running in the top 20."

It was with an inspired drive on last year's Merrick event that Stevie caught the attention of Scottish Rally Championship bosses, who would later award him with the Colin McRae Tribute award, "If in doubt… flat out" an award which Stevie says will remain one of his most significant achievements in his career.

He said: "Colin was someone I looked up to, he was known worldwide and was an inspiration the world over, so to be mentioned in the same sentence as him is phenomenal."

As the crew prepares to start the event, 45 miles of flat out driving await the Scottish crew as they challenge for class and Pirelli Junior championship honours.