THE Wyedean Rally has bucked all the trends to attract a maximum entry of 180 cars for Saturday's big event.

The credit crunch has hit motorsport extremely hard during the last year, with entries generally down across the board.

Not so the Wyedean.

Clerk of the course Phil Turley (pictured) said: "I must admit I had a few misgivings. A few months ago I thought we might gain a few from the ANCRO Championship, but the number of entries we've received has exceeded all my expectations. It's magic!"

Paul Willetts, chairman of the Forest of Dean Motor Club, added: "I think it's one of the best entries the Dean has ever had.

"Entries on other events have been down, but we're ideally placed on the calendar and a lot of people love the Wyedean.

"I think people will pick and choose the events they do this year because money is tight.

"However, we've got what we hoped for and we've got quality too, with the likes of Paul Bird, Roger Duckworth, Hugh Hunter and Nik Elsmore in there.

"All of the classes look strong. Best of all, we counted more than 40 local crews, where either the driver, co-driver or both were from the Forest.

"I really want to see the locals go well."

In the absence of last year's winner Steve Perez, five-time winner Andy Burton is seeded one.

Due to an impending change in the regulations from the start of 2012, this will be the last time 'Burty' will be eligible to compete in his Peugeot Cosworth.

2007 Wyedean winners Hugh Hunter & Andy Marchbank are seeded two in their Ford Focus WRC, with the similar car of former MSA Gravel Rally champion Paul Bird at number three.

The Cumbrian and co-driver Kirsty Riddick have already won the Jack Frost Stages this year and will be contesting the first two rounds of the Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series, the Wyedean and their local event, the Malcolm Wilson Rally, before deciding on their programme for the rest of the year.

Nik Elsmore & Paul Spooner have been seeded four. The first group of competitors to leave Chepstow Racecourse at 8am will be those in 1400cc cars. They'll be led by car 201 Julian Wilkes (Vauxhall Nova), co-driven by Will Rutherford. Just behind them will be Darren Pinchin and Bream girl Karen Watts (Proton Satria) in car 202. More than 30 historic cars are also in the field.

SEE THIS WEEK'S FORESTER FOR AN EIGHT PAGE SPECIAL ON THE WYEDEAN RALLY, INCLUDING MAPS OF THE STAGES, PARKING INFO AND APPROXIMATE STAGE TIMES.