THIS year's Wyedean Stages rally will see the ever-popular event undergoing a major revamp, reports PAUL WILLETTS.

The stages take place on Saturday, November 16, and as well as the final round of the Welsh Championship, will also be a qualifying round of the English series HRCR Stage Masters, TCS Rally Challenge, Mini Cup plus some regional championships.

Heavy rain in the days leading up to last year’s event caused the organisers a major headache with the service area based near Coleford.

But this has been addressed with a return to the superb hard standing facilities of Ross Cattle Market.

The event itself will also see a new format and a return of an old favourite that was popular with competitors years ago, plus different stages within the Speech House and Serridge complexes.

The stages will offer 43 miles for a really competitive entry fee of £799 and that includes the event tracker, so entries will be at a premium.

"After last year’s issues that were totally out of our control with the weather, it was really important that this was addressed and the facilities at Ross are superb,” said a Forest of Dean Motor Club spokesman.

“We used it years ago, so we know it's an excellent facility."

"The event will start from Cinderford with a short run out to the first stage, and we've also got an old stage returning to the fold but the roads are in really good condition”.

Entries will open mid-September.

Meanwhile, rally fans are getting revved up for the Hills Ford Stages on September 14-15, on the rural roads where south Herefordshire, north Gloucestershire and west Worcestershire meet.

An open day at Ledbury RFC on Sunday. August 11, lifted the lid on the inner world of the Rally HQ, showcasing the world of the officials, marshals and competitors, alongside the rescue and recovery units to the safety cars.

An impressive lineup of cars included world champion Colin McRae’s 1994 RS Cosworth, as well as specially made Minis and historic Ford Escort Mark 1s, which represent the pinnacle of motorsport.

Silverstone Rally School also offered valuable insights into the skills needed to be a rally driver, while Harper Adams University showcased their ‘Rallying The Right Way’ programme, which included live servicing demonstrations, offering a glimpse into working in the business.

The rally is a qualifying round of the Protyre Asphalt Rally Championship, HRCR Stage Masters, Mini Cup and CMSG series, and is regarded as one of the UK’s premier closed road rallies.

Its base will once again be the spacious  showground in March Marcle, with a new two-day format incorporating two super special stages late on Saturday afternoon, before a further ten tests on the Sunday, giving competitors some 60 miles over 12 special stages.

The event kicks off as usual from the historic market place in Ledbury with its popular ceremonial start mid afternoon on Saturday.

See www.hillsfordstages.co.uk for more details.