This year's Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally takes place on February 13th and it will feature many family connections within the local competitors.
Dave Jenkins, who this year will be using an Escort RS 1800 sponsored by GMF Motor factors, is joined by his brother Nigel who will again be among the 1400 front runners in his Hankook tyres backed 16v Nova. Dave's son, Colin, made his rallying debut alongside Rob Drew on last year's Neath Valley Stages, and he is hoping to make his Wyedean debut.
Last year Rob Drew's son, Craig, co-drove Nik Elsmore to outright victory. Rob and his other son, Paul, got stuck on a snow bank in Speech House and went OTL. This year Rob will be at the wheel. Rob's brother Nigel, who has taken to rallying like a duck to water with some impressive results, will be hoping for a top 25 finish in the NPD Plant Impreza.
Eric Davis will have his son Matthew on the notes in the Phil Robert's Plant Hire Mini. The veteran Drybrook resident has missed very few Wyedean rallies during its 35 year history. There will also be a two-car team from Winner Garage, with another Wyedean regular, Bob Morgan, with Ade Williams on board, in the Subaru Impreza N12. Bob's son Jason will again wheel out his Peugeot 106 for his Wyedean debut and will have Tom Marrott on the notes.
Will Rodgers will be sitting alongside Junior Rallycross Champion, 17 year old, Daniel O'Brien, while Dan's father, Mick, will be at the wheel of his 03 Focus WRC in a Fiesta ST. Brother Matt will be making his rallying debut in a Peugeot 106 and he has the experienced Russ Joseph alongside for guidance.
Karen Watts will be co-driving with Darren Pinchen. Karen's father, Phil Turley, has been the Events Clerk of the Course since the first Wyedean in 1975. Mum, Lilian, is the entries secretary, a role she has filled since the early days of the event.
The Forest of Dean Motor Club is trying to encourage youngsters to get involved in the sport. New directives from the RAC MSA will allow 14 year olds to compete on single venue rallies and then co-drive on multi-use events from 16 years old. Special Championships for 14 year olds have been set up and have been very well supported. Chairman of the Forest of Dean Motor Club, Paul Willetts said: "Dave Jenkins came up with the idea to attract more younger members to get involved with the club and use the members' experience to help get those who are interested up and running. Fifteen year-old, Jack Walby, son of Vice Chairman Martyn will make his co-driving debut alongside his father at Down Ampney in April of this year. So anybody interested please come and join us. We have a lot of people in the club with vast knowledge and experience who are only too happy to help these youngsters out."