A BRACING battle royal is in the offing in all three categories of this weekend's highly anticipated Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally.

In an event that's sure to have a massive impact on the forest, more than 170 cars are expected to roar out of Chepstow Racecourse early on Saturday morning (February 13) for 45 miles of wheel spinning, hard racing and gritty competitive action in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley.

Last year's 1400 category winner Julian Wilkes will lead the field away in his 16v Nova. Hot on his heels will be championship front runner, Darren Pinchen in his Gibsons backed Proton Satria. Others expected to be in the mix at the end are the Lewis brothers in another 16v Nova, young gun Callum Black and Matt Edwards in a pair of MGZR's. One local to keep an eye out for will be the hard charging Nigel Jenkins in his DBS Cars Nova.

So many potential winners are thrown up in this historic rally, which will kick off the season for many drivers. Dave Stokes is the top seed with 67 year old Terry Brown behind. Both men did the first Wyedean back in 1975. Two other potential winners could be Simon Tysoe with the evergreen Cliff Simmons on the notes - this being Cliff's 18th Wyedean. And Dave Jenkins co-driven as usual by Graham Cox. They are in the Team GMF Escort RS1800, this being Jenkins first time back in a rear wheel drive car for 18 years. Others to look out for are Dick Slaughter, James Potter, Stuart Clarke all Escort mounted and the beautiful Opel Ascona 400 of Theo Bengry.

And finally there's the big car battle. Again, it's hard to pick a winner. Last year's victor, Nik Elsmore is always hard to beat on his home turf, but anyone of the following could seize victory. Steve Perez in his Focus 07 WRC, Hugh Hunter is always very quick in the ex-McRae 01 Focus. Damian Cole as last year's winning co-driver with Craig Drew on the notes in the ex-works Accent WRC. Then there's BTRDA Champion Dave Wright lining up next in his Lancer Evo.9. Pre-event favourite Andy Burton is at six in the awesome Peugeot Cosworth. Others who will go well include Shaun Gardner, Roger Chilman, James Belton, the Ford Focus duo of team-mates John Lloyd and Andrew Barnes.

The ongoing battle right through the entire field is sure to be a treat for all the spectators watching.

First cars to leave the Chepstow Racecourse at 8am on Saturday (February 13) will be contesting the 1400cc category. Julian Wilkes and Will Rutherford will lead the rally away, ahead of former champion, Darren Pinchin with co-driver Karen Watts in a Proton Satria. Martyn and Richard Lewis in a Vauxhall Nova are up next, followed by 2009 MG ZR champions Callum Black and Paul Wakely up against the identical car of Matt Edwards and Sam Collis.

For the first time at Wyedean there's also a healthy 'historic' entry. Former MSA British Historic Rally Champions, David Stokes and Guy Weaver will lead a top 10 dominated by Escorts. But alongside the Ford's will also be a classic Opel Ascona 400 driven by Theo Bengry and Les Forsebrook, a Volvo P544 driven by 1989 Wyedean winner, Ian Beveridge and a Saab 94 V4 with Chepstow's John Tatlow.

Six of the best - who to watch out for

Nik Elsmore Last year's winner is co-driven by Nigel Gardner and takes No 1 spot in his Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9. There's family honor at stake here. His father, Graham, won the first three Wydean rallies. Nik has two wins under his belt and will be looking to even the score.

Steve Perez The former MSA Gravel Rally Champion has yet to win the Wyedean and will be itching to add the crown to his CV.

Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank The North Walians were winners in 2007 and are well capable of reclaiming the trophy.

Damian Cole In his Hyundai Accent WRC. Herefordshire based Cole has been runner up in the past and is someone to keep an eye on.

David Wright The 2009 Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Gold Star Champion is journying down from Lancaster to defend his title.

Andy Burton A driver no one should or can ignore. He's won the Wyedean five times, more than anyone else. Win or lose, his attacking style is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Rally Parking

Racecourse Car Park – MR 162/522 950

Piercefield Park (Chepstow Racecourse) is situated on the A466 between Chepstow and St Arvans. The car park is within the Racecourse. Follow spectator car park signs. Stage 4 can be seen from the grandstands and the in-field.

Car Park A – FEDW – MR 162/505 984

From the A466 in St Arvans, take the unclassified road through the village following the signs to the car park. The finish of Stage 3 is a short distance across the road. A longer walk leads to a series of corners mid-stage.

Please do not walk across the woodland – short-cutting to the stage and over stone walls has caused us PR problems locally. Please follow the road and forest tracks to your location.

Car Park B - Woodlands – MR 162/560 131

From the A4136 at Berry Hill Pike, take the unclassified road towards Symonds Yat. The car park is the tarmac road leading down the hill to the stage exit.

Please park on the left hand side of the road going down the hill, do not double park as this is the stage exit also.

Gives access to various points on Stage 1.

Car Park C - Edge End – MR 162/597 137

Picnic site alongside the A4136 between its junctions with the B4234 and B4028. A series of bends on Stage 7 is a short walk across the A4136.

Car Park D - Speech House – MR 162/623 124

Situated either side of the B4226 between Cinderford and Coleford. Access to several junctions of Stage 5, and mid-point locations in Stage 2 and Stage 6.

Car Park E - Mallards Pike – MR 162 638 089

From the A48 in Blakeney take the unclassified road towards Parkend. This picnic site adjoins Mallards Pike Lake and gives access to mid-stage junctions on Stage 5.

Car Park F - Robin Hood – MR 162/556 124

Alongside the A4136 near Staunton, gives access to the start of Stage 1. A longer walk leads to a fast down hill section.

Car Park G - Waterloo Screens – MR 162/616 148

Alongside the A4136 between Coleford and Brierley, gives access to fast sections of Stage 2 and Stage 6.

Car Park H - Speculation – MR 162/612 134

Alongside the B4234 between Cannop Cross Roads and the A4136. Gives access to first part of Stage 2 and Stage 6. Fast straight section after uphill hairpin left.

Please take extra care when entering the stage and follow marshalls instruction.

Car Park J - Cannop – MR 162/610 116

Entrance off the B4226 Coleford–Cinderford road above Cannop Crossroads in the Speech House direction. Gives access to end of Stage 2 and Stage 6, or a walk uphill to Stage 5 or in the other direction to Stage 7.

Car Park K - Beechenhurst – MR 162/613 118

Entrance off the B4226 Coleford–Cinderford road above Cannop Crossroads in the Speech House direction. Gives access to end of Stage 2 and Stage 6, or a walk uphill to Stage 5. Limited space available.

Car Park L - Dean Hill – MR 162/621 119

Limited parking here – located on the road running from Speech House Hotel (south) to The Barracks, gives access to fast section of Stage 5 towards the finish.

Car Park M-

Northern United – MR 162/639 157

Entrance off the A4136 between Brierley and Hawkwell, gives access to the tarmac section of Stage 2 and Stage 6.

Spectator car parks and information

Stage Approx First Car Stag­e Name Car Parks

JOHN DAUNTER B & F

1 08:45 MAILSCOT

ALLISPORT LTD D, G, H, J, K & M

2 09:10 SERRIDGE 1

COUNTY MARQUEES A

3 10:20 CHEPSTOW PARK

MADDOCK PLANT HIRE & SALES RACECOURSE

4 10:45 PIERCEFIELD PARK CAR PARK

SERVICE RACECOURSE

10:50 CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE CAR PARK

B.G. LANDROVERS D, E, K & L

5 12:25 SPEECH HOUSE

M.E. DAMSELL D, G, H, J, K & M

6 13:00 SERRIDGE 2

ALI MAX C & J

7 13:35 SALLOWVALLETS