Rally drivers competing in a major race this week will be at a disadvantage if C-Tyres is unable to honour an important order, a consultant to the company warned last night.

The firm, which is the sole manufacturer of Colway Retread Tyres, was to supply the tyres for this year's Lombard Rally, from Thursday until Sunday.

The Colway Tyre has been designed for rally driving and is environmentally-friendly to forest roads.

When C-Tyres collapsed suddenly last month, about 20 of the 140 drivers competing in the race had not received their tyres. More than half have since managed to buy them from other drivers or through the internet, but some have yet to source any.

Former rally driver Fred Henderson, who was a motor sport consultant to C-Tyres and one of the original designers of the Colway tyre, believes the tyres are in stock at the company's premises. "I was told I would get them last week, then it was this morning and now it's tomorrow," he said. "I have tried to arrange for the remaining drivers to get other tyres, but they will be at a disadvantage. There is going to be hell on."

C-Tyres managing director Gary Oliver said he was hopeful that Mr Henderson would get his tyres today because he was expected to be allowed access to the factory.