2014 sees the 39th running of the Wyedean Forest Rally which, this year, heralds the beginning of a new sponsorship arrangement with Chepstow-based Weir Engineering.

The company's premises provide the venue for Scrutineering whilst all the other activities associated with the rally - Documentation, Signing-On, Start, Finish, Service Area & Awards Presentation - are based at the Racecourse.

The entry list for the 'Wyedean' reflects not only its own popularity, but also that of the REIS BTRDA® Rally Series, of which it is the traditional opening round. 2013 winners Connor McCloskey/Francis Regan are currently without a suitable car and, in their absence, the No.1 spot goes to Euan Thorburn/Paul Beaton (Ford Focus WRC). They were leading the event last year before retirement and would dearly like to go one better this time. They will be followed by multiple Scottish Rally Champions David Bogie/Kevin Rae in another Focus as both crews avail themselves of some 'pre-match practice' prior to the Inverness-based Snowman Rally the following weekend.

Stephen Petch/Ian Windress, who won their first event at this level outright towards the end of last season, are next while Paul Bird/Aled Davies make it a Focus Top Four. Bird last contested the Wyedean in 2011, taking runner-up spot on that occasion - however, the Cumbrian will be aware that there will be some serious opposition on the stages this time!

The Ford domination of the entry is broken by the Proton Satria of Ollie Mellors at No.5. Development of the Millington-engined car is still ongoing, but it has already shown itself to be a force to be reckoned with. 2013 Group N winners, Luke Francis/ John Roberts, have moved up a class this year in their Mitsubishi Lancer EVO9 and start ahead of yet another Focus, this particular one in the hands of Westbury Ford Dealer Pete Elkins and co-driver Andrew Joll.

Pat Naylor/Ian Lawrence lead the Group N 'Production' category in their EVO9, ahead of the similar car of Tom Naughton/Andy Mort, while the Top Ten is rounded off by the Subaru Impreza of Rob Smith and Ross Weir, of event sponsor Weir Engineering!

Entries in the two-wheel drive category are dominated by Ford Escorts, with Mark Griffiths and Jody Bowcott leading the charge. Although the 'Historic' category, which runs between the 1400s and the main field, will be led away by the Volvo Amazon of Ken Davies/Alan Jones, Escorts are also aplenty here. Matthew Robinson, Theo Bengry, Rob Dennis, Roger Matthews and Allan McDowall will all be jockeying for position throughout the day and, at the same time, keeping a watchful eye out for the Datsun 260Z of 2010 Wyedean winners Steve Perez/Paul Spooner.

Having won the 1400cc category for the past five years, it would be fair to say that Julian Wilkes' absence from this year's event will be of some comfort to a number of competitors! Even before the start, this section is a success story - the 40 such cars that started the 2013 Wyedean has increased to 60 this time!

Running at the front of the field, the honour of leading the convoy away from the Chepstow Racecourse start at 8.00am on 15th February falls to the Vauxhall Corsa of Dave Bennett/Alistair McNeil. Mat Smith/Giles Dykes (Ford Ka) will follow them, with Darren Pinchin, whose Proton Satria was first 1400 home in 2008 (prior to the start of the 'Wilkes Era'!) and Karen Jenkins next.

Following completion of seven special stages in the Forest of Dean, the first car is due back at the Racecourse for the finish celebrations at 2.40pm.