The forthcoming Winner Garage Skoda Wyedean Stages, which will be held this weekend, has attracted a capacity 120 car entry for the 40 stage miles on offer. But this year’s event will be under tremendous scrutiny regarding spectator safety.

In light of new tighter spectator safety guidelines set down by motorsport’s governing body the RAC MSA in 2016, the event organisers urge spectators to use both the official car parks and specifically chosen spectator viewing areas. These have been created to allow for safe and entertaining spectating.

All spectator information is available online at wyedeanstages.co.uk with a very good short spectator safety video.

The MSA Safety Delegate present can stop the event at anytime if he feels safety is being compromised, so the motor club asks for everyone to use the car parks, spectator areas and adhere to instructions if asked to move.

“The event brings so much revenue to businesses in the area and local charities benefit hugely from car park revenue, it would be a shame to lose this classic rally through idiotic behaviour, but enjoy the event, stay safe and we can all safeguard its future.”

This year’s rally has a fantastic array of local crews who will be battling for honours throughout the field including two sisters taking part in their first Wyedean Rally.

Leading the fight at the front will be top seed and pre-event favourites, Damian Cole with Ross-on-Wye co-driver, Paul Morris. The 2016 MSA Asphalt champions will be using the Get-Connected Fiesta WRC.

Just behind them, Irish starlet Josh Moffet with Broadwell’s Jack Walby on the notes for the first time, are looking for a top five finish in the Combilift/Calico Interiors Fiesta R5.

Chepstow’s Sacha Kakad, with James Aldridge onboard, will start at eight in the Westbase backed Lancer Evo 10

The event sponsors, Bob Morgan and Ade Williams, are at 15 and will be looking for a strong charge in the Skoda Fabia. One minute behind will be Cinderford duo, Mark Griffiths and Matt Rogers, in the Griffiths Engineering Escort RS. Expect these two to be pushing for a top ten finish and class honours. At 17 is Steve Bennett, with Cliffy Simmons on the notes, looking for top historic honours in the Bennett Motor Services RS1800 on home ground.

Car 28 is Jason Morgan and Jack Bowen in a freshly prepared Lancer Evo 6. Jason is Bob’s son so family honour is at stake and Jason will be pushing Dad hard here.

Behind Jason is the flying 1400 Nova of husband and wife, Nigel and Karen Jenkins. A few years ago Nigel pushed the little Nova to 14th overall.

Cinderford plumber Jason Gardner starts at 42 with Wyedean veteran, Graham Cox alongside in the Brecon View Plumbing Escort RS

Another Cinderford duo are at 46, Tom Marrott and Ryan Taylor in the awesome ex Colin Webb BMW 325. Historic flyer Graham Waite has Elwyn Manuel alongside in a 1600 Toyota Corolla at 48.

Spectators favourites’ Eric Davis and Russ Joseph line up at 49 in the Dennis Motorsport Mini Clubman GT.

Andrew Stokes, with new co-driver Ade McNally, starts in car 50 in the historic Avenger GT. Andrew, who did his first Wyedean in 1975, is the brother of the much missed, four-times British Historic Champion, David Stokes.

BTRDA Class B13 champions Scott Partridge and Mike Jode are at 53 in the Belfry Hotel Impreza. Keith Bounds and Kevin Watkins make a welcome return at car 60 in the Sierra XR4.

Mike Truman lines up with Leanne Harris at 62 in the ME Damsell Escort RS, with co-driver Leanne making her Wyedean debut, but not to be outdone, sister Beth co-drives Mike’s son, Lee in the second ME Damsell backed car at 103 in their Subaru Impreza. This will be Beth’s first ever rally.

Another father and daughter team up at 66, with Ross duo Gary and Tiffany Bollands in the GB Motor Services Impreza.

Another pair of returnees is John Collins and John Smart in the Jon Ballinger Manta GTE, who starts at 67

Jim Swift, with Mark Wheeler on the notes, take car 71 in the Signs by Samurai Escort RS.

Car 75 is the beautiful sounding Landrover Discovery of Spencer Price/Chris Hands in the TPS Gates machine. Charles Hopkinson starts his Escort RS at 80 with Colin Jenkins in the hot seat.

Ross duo, John and Julie Tatlow, line up at 83 in their Peugeot 205 GTI. James Dunkley and Dan Sayce, in the Winner Garage Nova are at 98, one ahead of Cinderford’s Mark Christopher in his Citroen Saxo.

In Car 101 Rob Drew returns to the fray after a long layoff with son, Paul alongside in their Escort RS. Rob, father of American Champion, Craig Drew, said that Craig is on tea-making duties this weekend, a very important job in the team.

Former Christchurch boy Richard Cole will be with Simon Cox in the Cole Contracting Escort RS, starting at 117. And finally, at 122, doing his first ever event is Oliver Bennett in the Vantage Point Business Village Subaru Impreza.

There will be no Car 3 in memory of David Stokes, the six-time British Champion who passed away earlier this year. He was car 3 in 1976. The ever popular Dursley baker was a great friend to the Forest of Dean Motor Club and as a mark of respect 40 years on, the number will be left blank.

The Forest of Dean Motor Club wish all competitors, a safe and enjoyable new look Wyedean.