LAST year's Wyedean Rally winner, Nik Elsmore, has clinched an eleventh hour deal allowing him to compete in this year's classic event.

The last minute deal, with event sponsor GMF and Klarius, means No 1 seed, Elsmore, now has the chance to match his dad, Graham's record of three wins at the Wyedean.

Elsmore, from Coleford, lost his long standing sponsor, Hydrex, at the worst possible time in the season - just before Christmas.

"It's going to be very difficult to find a new sponsor this late in the season, but at least with enough funding and the sponsorship for the Wyedean we'll be able to pull out all the stops and show what we can do. Hopefully they'll take note.

"I cannot thank GMF and Klarius enough, without their help I would not be taking my No 1 seed. I really hope I can repay their faith in me."

Elsmore's Mitsubishi Evo remains at a distinct power disadvantage in the event but he does have the advantage of knowing the course. Although even that's now being eroded by new technology.

"I used to have a real advantage because I knew every bit of the course by memory," says Nik. "But now there are DVDs and everyone knows where every corner is. Local knowledge has pretty much gone."

But it is local knowledge that's helped with the sponsorship of this year's event. Forest-born Adrian McNally of GMF Motor Factors was brought up in the world of rallying since he and his brother, Ian, were in short trousers.

At a launch of the Forest of Dean Motor Club's Wyedean Forest Rally last week, he confirmed GMF were in it for the long term.

"This is the first year of what will be a three year commitment to the rally. After that we'll hopefully see how it goes."

Organiser of the rally, Paul Willetts, says about 180 drivers have now signed up to start this year's rally on a course that's undergone some significant changes.

"About 60 per cent of the course is the same, but 40 per cent has been changed," says Paul. "Mostly sections in the Forest of Dean with the aim of freshening it up."

The 113th crew over the start ramp will be the 5,000th to start in its 35 year history. And four competitors who started the first ever Wyedean stages way back in 1975 will be competing again this year.

Stuart Harrold, who co-drove Graham Elsmore in the first of their victories in 1975 will co-drive for winning veteran, Colin Webb in his 1300 Astra.

Dave Stokes, who finished 2nd in 1975 behind Graham, will have Guy Weaver alongside.

Doug Dawe, who for many years stuck loyally to British Leyland products, including an ex-works Austin Allegro, will team up with another veteran, Ernie Waldron, in a Seat Ibiza.

Terry Brown will be there with Mike Jones who was on the maps back in '75.

And another veteran returning to the sport is Roger Matthews who has purchased the ex-Simon Wallis Holbay engined MK1 Escort. Mathews's last rally was back in 1985 and since then the local haulage contractor has been a very successful rally-crosser and autograsser.

Mike Jode will co-drive and Quick Motorsport run the car.

"I'm only used to right hand bends autograssing, so I might struggle a bit on the left handers," commented Matthews. Which will make for interesting watching.