Simon seeks the formula for Manx successNorth Wales rally ace Simon Hughes makes a welcome return to the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship next week, as the 22 year old Colwyn Bay driver contests the Total Manx International Rally.Hughes has agreed a late deal to run an Autosport Technology prepared Renault Clio 2.0L Group N car in the Formula 2000 category of the Isle of Man based event.  Co-driven by ex-Proton works co-driver Claire Mole (Berwickshire) for the first time, the two will look to claim as many scalps as possible in the Atlas Communications and Dunlop Tyres backed machine.2005 has seen Simon plying his trade in the Czech Republic based Skoda Fabia Rallye Cup.  Its been a mixture of good and not so good for Simon, who convincingly won the opening round.  Despite setting fastest times on every rally since, mechanical problems on the last three rounds have put the Welsh ace in a disappointing championship position after a frustrating season.Hughes now has a chance to put his seasons work to good use on the Manx classic.  All of the Skoda Fabia Cup rounds take place on asphalt, so Simon is well used to the demands of driving on bumpy fast tarmac, and is very much looking forward to being reunited with a familiar car.Simon helped develop the current Renault Sport designed Clio 2.0L Group N car in its initial stages for Renault in France, and will look to do well on the three day event, based at the TT Grandstand in Douglas.  Hughes has contested the Manx twice before and will be keen to push the 200 horse power Clio as high as he can up the leaderboard.For Hughes, it is a welcome return to the British series:'I'm really looking forward to doing the rally now' said Simon.  'It has been a couple of seasons since I last drove a development Renault Clio 2.0L car, but the car was a very strong all round package.  The car already has a pedigree in the BRC this season with Robbie Dale using the car to win in Wales and Kielder, so I'm hoping its a good omen for Claire and I next week.  The Manx is a very demanding event, so having a reliable and strong car like the Clio is essential.  Thanks to the support we have received from Tom Hogan at Atlas Communications, and also Dunlop, we should stand a good chance of having a strong result.  With the experience I have built this year in the Czech Republic, I'm confident that my pace on tarmac will be good, so I hope I can get used to the car quickly as well.'Hughes will recce for the event with Mole, but the pair will not get a chance to test the Renault prior to the event, so Simon's first acquaintance with the French flyer will be on the Thursday when the rally starts.  Manx International Rally (July 28-30)