MEXICO – Nearly 100 rally teams from all over the United States and Canada will be speeding along some of northern Oxford and Franklin counties’ toughest roads starting Friday afternoon.

For the 12th year, the Sports Car Club of America’s Maine Forest Pro Rally will be run through the northern parts of the two counties on gravel, dirt and forest roads.

Spectators will have a chance to watch the action from several locations in Mexico, Byron and Oquossoc. Specific directions to the sites are available at the River Valley Chamber of Commerce in Rumford, the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce in Bethel, and at the Mexico Recreation Park on Route 17 the day the event begins.

Car enthusiasts will be able to get up close to their favorite vehicles and drivers when a Parc Expose is held Friday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mexico Recreation Park. Hundreds of people from around the country and Canada are expected to attend the kickoff event.

This is the first year the Parc Expose is being held in Mexico. In the past, vehicles have lined up and been available for public inspection in downtown Rumford.

At 3:45 p.m. Friday, the roar of engines will be heard as vehicles leave the recreation park for the first few stages of the 108-mile competition.

The Friday and Saturday competition will consist of 11 stages. On Friday, four stages totaling 22 miles will be run. On Saturday, seven stages totaling 86 miles will be run.

Drivers and their partners will travel over many off-the-beaten-track roads, including those in the areas of Magalloway Plantation, Wilson’s Mills village and Parmachenee Township. Roads are located on lands owned by Wagner Management Co., International Paper or Seven Islands Land Co.

The Maine Forest Pro Rally is part of the Sports Car Club of America competition. Drivers earn points toward the entire competition, which is run at various locations around the country.