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

The stages take place on Saturday, November 16, and will be the final round of the Welsh Championship, and qualifying rounds 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 based near Coleford caused the organisers a major headache with the service area.

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 popular with competitors years ago, plus different stages within the Speech House and Serridge complexes.

The stages will offer 43 miles for a competitive entry fee of £799 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 open in 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, while an impressive lineup of vehicles included world champion Colin McRae’s 1994 RS Cosworth, as well as specially made Minis and historic Ford Escort Mark 1s.

The race base will again be the March Marcle showground, with a new two-day format incorporating two super special stages late on Saturday afternoon, before 10 tests on Sunday, giving some 60 miles over 12 stages.

The event kicks off from the market place in Ledbury with its ceremonial start on Saturday afternoon.

See www.hillsfordstages.co.uk.