Preview  -  round seven: Tour of FlandersThe HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge heads to Belgium for round seven, the Tour of Flanders (17/18 September). With around 120 miles of challenging asphalt rallying, Flanders could be crucial in the battle for the 2005 title.Just 12 points currently split the two leading crews, with Gareth Lloyd/Ryland James travelling to Belgium to defend their lead over the similar Escort Mk2 of Martin Freestone/Chris Heyes.With two scores to be dropped from the nine events, each crew currently has a non-finish in their total. Ironically, both retirements came on their respective home events, with Lloyd/James going out on Epynt and Freestone/Heyes retiring on the Isle of Man. This is a battle that could go either way, and currently Lloyd has three wins to Freestone's two.Most consistent among the classic crews have been father and son Mark and Brett Clifford in their class D3 Escort Mk2. Having finished all six events to date, including a magnificent debut performance on the Manx, they currently split Lloyd and Freestone on overall points. However, as dropped scores come into play, the Cliffords are likely to drop to third – providing the two leading crews finish the final three events.Heading the chase of Lloyd and Freestone in the overall contest will be Kent-based Dick Slaughter and Liz Jordan in their Escort RS. They teamed up on the Manx to score a fine result and should continue that form in Belgium on stages that Jordan knows well.Heading class D2 for their first venue to the area will be John Williams and Dave Griggs in their Talbot Sunbeam, out for the second time this season in the classics having taken the class on Epynt at the end of April.The Tour of Flanders starts at 10am on Saturday from Roeselare for 14 stages covering 80 stage miles. The event re-starts at 9am on Sunday for a further eight stages and another 40 stage miles.