FOREST of Dean Motor Club chairman Paul Willetts says he's delighted with the support local crews have given this Saturday's Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally.

Few sports have been hit harder by the recession than rallying.

Last year, rallies up and down the country reported a marked downturn in entries, but Willetts – a Wyedean winner himself in 2005 – expects more than 160 cars to go off this year, just short of the maximum entry.

He said: "There are plenty of talented locals to watch out for this year and a lot of them will be competing for honours.

"Will Rogers is co-driving for Matt Edwards (Mitsubishi Evo) and they could surprise people and make the podium. Matt's a very quick driver.

"Rob Smith and Ross Weir (Impreza) could also cause a shock or two and make the top five.

"Personally, I think Hugh Hunter will take some stopping, he had a comfortable lead last year until getting a couple of punctures, but Charlie Payne (2012 winner) will push him hard again.

"David Wright, a lad from the Lake District, could go well and a Scottish driver called Ewan Thorburn (Focus WRC) might challenge if he adapts to the stages.

"Our forests though, are very different to the Scottish forests."

Willetts says the stages are in good condition and have been freshened up by clerk of the course Phil Turley.

He added: "We're just hoping for decent weather.

"It was very icy last year, which made things even tougher for competitors than the heavy snow of 2009.

"We went 32 years before getting snow in 1991.

"The amount of snow we've had in the last five or six years has been unbelievable."

Willetts says one car spectators should watch out for and enjoy is the Lancia Stratos of Steve Perez.

"The noise that car makes is awesome, you can hear it coming," he said.

"It's like going back to the RAC days of the 1970s."

See this week's Forester for Wyedean Rally maps, times and parking information, plus more news and rally stories.