A PETROL-FUELLED spectacle which drew thousands of spectators to Tendring last year is set to double down on the action.

The 2019 Corbeau Seats Rally features in three championships this year and sees competitors loop around the district in an adrenalin-pumping race.

New spectator venues, more stage miles and VIP areas are expected to draw bumper crowds to the coastline.

A huge TV screen will broadcast the rally live from the Clacton seafront on Sunday, April 28.

Spectators will be close enough to almost taste the action.

Rally cars will thunder past three exclusive areas, based at Ship Hill in Bradfield for stages one, five and nine.

New for 2019, St Mary’s in Little Bromley will host stages three, seven and 11.

Head to Wick Road, in Weeley Heath, for stages four, eight and 12.

At the biggest stage, Ship Hill, there will be a heated marquee and food and drink on sale.

Petrolheads can enjoy a real spectacle, with championship level cars running alongside historic classics.

These include a 1967 Austin Cooper (Mini), VW Beetle, Porsche 911 and Triumph TR7 V8.

Last year’s event was the first ever closed road rally to be held in England.

This year’s route will run over three loops of stages during the day, with cars returning to the Clacton seafront service area between races.

Fans can catch a first glimpse of the cars on the Saturday evening ahead of a ceremonial start at 6pm at Clacton seafront – where crews will be flagged away by the town’s MP, Giles Watling.

The starting gun will fire the following morning with crews heading out to the stages from approximately 8.30am on the Sunday.