THE entry list is filling fast for the 2013 Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally which takes place a week on Saturday (February 9).

The annual event is held over testing forestry roads in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Last year's winner Charlie Payne, returns to defend his crown with Craig Thorley on the notes in the D-Mack Focus WRC, although the Ripon dairy farmer is doing a limited programme of events this year.

The 2007 winner, Hugh Hunter, lines up with his 03 Focus. The Ruthin man held a comfortable 40 second lead going into the penultimate stage last year but a double puncture put paid to his effort.

Among other notable entries received so far are Dan O'Brien in the Focus WRC, with Euan Thorburn motoring down from Scotland with his D-Mack Focus WRC. Cambrian winner Luke Francis brings his Lancer Evo 9 and fellow North Walian Matt Edwards will have some local knowledge on hand in the shape of Cinderford's Will Rogers in their Lancer Evo 9.

Bob Ceen is expected to go well in his Subaru S9, and Irish visitor Conor McCluskey brings a similar car.

Entries are expected from Dave Wright and BTRDA (British Trial and Rally?Drivers'?Association) champion Shaun Gardner.

Local entries received so far include Rob Smith and Ross Weir who could mix it at the sharp end in the WLE Impreza – these two are planning a full BTRDA campaign in 2013.

Rob Weir lines up in his historic spec Escort RS1800 with Shaun O'Gorman alongside.

Steve Perez brings his awesome-sounding Lancia Stratos with Paul Spooner alongside.

Pairings Bob Morgan and Ade Williams, and Jason Morgan and Sarah Williams, will run Winner Garage Subaru Imprezas.

Others to watch:

Welsh 2WD Champion Colin Webb and Matt Rogers in the Forest of Dean Tyres BMW 325.

Spectators' favourites Eric Davis/Russ Joseph are in the Mini 1293, and BHRC (British Historic Rally Championship) front runner Graham Waite/Gill Cotton Volvo Amazon are also coming.

Former BTRDA 1400 champions Darren Pinchen/Karen Watts line up in the Proton Satria 1400.

Last year's surprise package Nigel Jenkins has as a new co-driver in the shape of Kevin Watkins. Another new combination is Andy Gwynne/Mark Watkins in the Citroen Saxo S1600 another Citroen is in the hands of Steve Jenkins/Mark Vaughan – a 1400 Saxo.

Team BG Landrovers have a three-car team entered, with Paul Gunter/Mark Wheeler, Ian/Cliff Davies and Tim Phelps/Elwyn Manuel all Escort mounted.

Cliff Simmons teams up with Simon Tysoe Escort RS1800.

Ross-based duo Welsh historic champion Roger Matthews teams up with Paul Morris in the RJ Matthews Escort RS1600, and Roger's former co-driver Mike Jode sits alongside Ross on Wye's Dan Gray in his Peugeot 106.

Another Ross crew, Gary and Tiffany Boland, bring their Subaru Station Wagon.

Mark Christopher has Lizzie Brain on the notes with David Harley and Chris Butcher in a pair of Peugeot 205s.

Jason Gardner has a new co-driver in Richard Rogers doing his first Wyedean since 1978 in the immaculate Escort RS1600.

Shawn Baldwin will benefit from the experience of Martyn Walby alongside in the Autofix Escort RS. Karen Phelps sits alongside Tony Williams in his Escort RS.

A unique entry is that of Andrew Dearing and Mike Wilding in a Mazda RX7.

Despite a frustrating 2012 Mark Griffiths showed signs of his old pace, and with Tom Marrott on board expect to be mixing it with the 2WD front runners in their Escort RS, but will face stiff competition from Will Onions and Matt Robinson.

Two Wyedean debutants will be Jonathon Jones with Jack Walby on the notes – this will be the 18-year-old former motorcross champion's first gravel rally in his Fiesta ST.

Lydbrook's Sean Amos is another doing his first rally in a 1400 Fiesta – he will have Nigel Dutson alongside.

For all details go to fodmc.co.uk (photos from Tom Marrott and Paul Mitchell).