THE Wyedean Rally takes place this Saturday with drivers hoping to join the rare club of outright winners from Gloucestershire.

Coleford's Graham Elsmore has won it three times, his son Nik twice and Dave Jenkins from Lydney once.

And Cheltenham Motor Club's John Brown and Andy Sutton in their MG Metro 6R4 won in 1986.

The late Gary Midwinter with Martin Saunders went close with second, third, fourth and fifth-placed finishes overall.

Motorsport is still mourning the death of Midwinter, who passed away in December, but many of his friends are returning to the rally to pay tribute to him, including local and national champions.

Here, Andy Sutton who co-drove many of the country's top drivers, shares his views and predictions on this year's event.

COUNTY CREWS V GREAT BRITAIN

THE 37th Wyedean Rally on Saturday is organised by the Forest of Dean Motor Club (FODMC), with the start, service area, finish and rally head-quarters all based at Chepstow Racecourse.

The main competitive action will take place with special stages in the heart of the Forest of Dean.

The event is one of the best rallies in the country.

It is the opening round of the season for many of the national championships and a full entry of 180 crews will be eager to put early points on the board.

It is now the only rally held in this Forest, so the stages are in pristine condition with five special stages all within a five-mile radius.

Its compact area offers spectacular viewing, excellent car parking facilities, all run by the Forest of Dean Motor Club and assisting motor clubs.

The event attracts thousands of spectators, the best competing crews, an abundance of local talent across the entry list.

Here are my drivers to look out for in their respective classes:

1400s

FOR the uninitiated, crews will tackle the special stages at one-minute intervals, starting with the 1400 class.

These may be lightweight cars but not in terms of speed because the top crews use 9500rpm.

All eyes will be on the battle between the county's national defending champions Darren Pinchin and his newly-crowned MSA ladies' co-driving champion Karen Watts and three-time class winners Julian Wilkes and Will Rutherford's Nova VX190.

Lydney's Nigel Jenkins returns in his Nova and will be keen to impress in front of his home support.

County Rallyschool chiefs Andy Gwynne and Holly Robinson have pulled out because they have seven entries in the class to look after.

More than 50 crews compete and it is the showcase for young talent.

I predict a home win for Pinchin and Watts in their Proton Satria.

The Historics

THE next crews to tackle the day will be favourites of mine, former national champions Dessie Nutt and Geraldine McBride in their Porsche 911. They will have one eye in the mirror as they have a gang of Ford Escorts Mk 2s and Mk 1s snapping at their heels, headed by Cheltenham's Nick Elliott and Dave Price, last year's winners.

Other competitors include Cirencester's Rob Dennis and Gloucester's Roger Matthews.

Great Britain greats Jason Lepley, Pete Smith, Stu Clarke, Pete Egerton and Theo Benry's Opel Ascona 400 will all be trying to grab Elliott's crown.

My prediction for a home win is Elliott and Price in their Ford Escort Mk 2.

The Open

ALTHOUGH the event has suffered the regrettable loss of six-time winner Andy Burton in the Peugoet-Cosworth due to rule changes, this year's Wyedean has a greater strength in depth than ever before, with Ford Focus WRCs heading the field.

Steve Perez and Paul Spooner will have Hugh Hunter and Andy Marchbank, Charlie Payne and Craig Thorley chasing them for victory.

Fourth seed Roger Chilman has former Ford co-driver Bryan Thomas on the pace notes and he will be good to watch in his Subaru Impreza, while car five Dave Wright's Evo 9 will also be pushing hard.

Shaun Gardener's Evo returns and will be on the pace, as will Roger Duckworth's Subaru Impreza, but my tip to watch out for is 19-year-old Tom Cave in a Subaru.

Last year he finished fifth and has a bright future and a new car, so I expect him to do well.

Among the other drivers in the 110-strong field to look out for is lowly-seeded Scott Partridge, who starts at number 98 in a Subaru Impreza.

My prediction is for a win for Perez and Spooner in a Ford Focus WRC.

Dave Kedward and his son Lee are returning to the event to pay tribute to their friend Gary Midwinter.

■ For more dtails, visit www.wyedeanrally.com.