Our West Wales Rally Spares HRCR Stage Masters contenders will have the privilege of competing on the wonderful tracks of the Royal Forest of Dean for the forthcoming Richard Cole Contracting Wyedean Stages. The other good news is that our crews make up almost 10% of the entry and with the Mini Cup crews also contesting this event there is a magnificent showing from HRCR members.  The 47th Wyedean takes place on Saturday 8th November and spectator information is available on the event website where it explains that there is just one spectator stage which is Speech House. The rally will start from Cinderford Rugby Club which will also be the service area.

There is still plenty to play for in the Challenge and if anyone slips up it could change the picture completely. Baz Wheeler is leading at the moment and can’t be caught on this event but a non finish would bring Paul Holmes ever closer which would bring it all down to the Grizedale Stages in December. Paul’s co-driver, Liz Beesley, leads the co-driver’s but Ian Jones is contesting the final 2 rounds in an effort to take the plaudits. With his regular driver, Lee Ashberry, not contesting these events Ian has dug deep and found other drivers to assist him in his quest. Baz will be the leading driver in the D5 class and will have Mike Simpson and Dale Gibbons for company along with Ron Morgan, all in Ford Escort RS1800s.

In the D3 class for pinto powered Escorts there will be the usual 3 way contest between Hywel Davies, Dave Peters/Dan Morefield and Paul Holmes/Liz Beesley. Peters could move into a good position if Holmes and Beesley slip up but are currently not entered for Grizedale should things become interesting!

Freddy Camp and Steve Spear should have C2 wrapped up in their Escort if their day goes well but Eric Davies and Russell Joseph will definitely be a threat if they can shake off their reliability woes. Eric must now have competed on more Wyedean rally than anyone and, I think, always in a Mini. Also making a rare but welcome appearance on a Challenge event is Bob Clarke in his D1 Mini, making it 5 Minis out on the stages.

ALL PHOTOS: BEN LAWRENCE