ORGANISERS say entries are flowing in for this year's Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally – the district's biggest annual sporting event.

The February spectacular includes 45 miles of special stages, mostly through the Forest where huge crowds gather to watch the field of 180 cars launch assaults against the clock.

As always, it is anticipated there will be a considerable entry of local competitors pitting their skills against some of Britain's top drivers. Names are expected to be released later this week together with an announcement if last year's winner, vodka mixer tycoon Steve Perez, will be battling to defend his title.

The rally will take place on February 12 and will again be based at Chepstow Racecourse. It will be the opening round of the BTRDA and 1400 Series, the Welsh National, ASWMC and the second round of the Welsh Historic Series.

The format remains the same with the 1400 cars away first followed by the Historics and then the Open field.

Organisers, Forest of Dean Motor Club, say there are a few changes to the 2011 route but once again there will be seven special stages.

The biggest change will be a new scrutineering venue. Previously this has taken place in a marquee in front of the grandstand but will now, thanks to former competitor Rob Weir and his son Ross, take place in a unit at H. J. Weir Engineering in Bulwark.

A spokesman said: "It goes without saying that in the middle of February it can be very cold indeed and the move to a permanent building will not only be welcomed by chief scrutineer John Cooper and his team but also by all the competitors who will pass through it!"

Forest of Dean Motoring Club say they are hoping for a top quality entry.

However they realise that money within motor sport is now very tight.

Club chairman Paul Willetts said: "I think it is going to be a difficult year for event organisers as money is tight for competitors. But we pride ourselves on a quality event. Because we only use one stage twice our forestry costs are possibly the highest in the BTRDA and Welsh series. It would have been easy for us to run three stages twice to cut our forestry costs but that wouldn't be fair on the competitors so we look at other ways to save money and give people a first class event."