2011 BTRDA championship runner-up Roger Chilman is looking forward to the new campaign,which starts on 11th February with the Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally.

But he'll start 2012 with a new co-driver, the addition of three-time BRC-winning co-driver Bryan Thomas.

Chilman, who has been guided by the vastly experienced Andrew Sankey for many years, paid tribute to Sankey by saying: "Andrew has been a massive part of my development, but I felt the time was right to freshen things up. We're still good friends."

Thomas is no stranger to the Chilman rallying dynasty having co-drove Roger senior to many successes in the 80s.

Some suspension testing is planned before the Wyedean to make sure the Quick Motorsport run Subaru S9 WRC is ready.

Other locals already entered include HRCR front runner Stuart Clarke, who brings his historic-spec Escort RS2000.

It is the 30th anniversary of Clarke's first Wyedean back in 1982. Andy Ballantyne calls the notes.

Rob Weir returns to his local event after a gap of 25 years with son Ross making his Wyedean debut in the Weir Laundry Equipment Subaru Impreza.

Team BG Landrovers from Whitchurch will have a team of three cars – Nick Paynter and Tom Marrott in his Escort RS, BG Landrovers MD Paul Gunter teams up with the experienced Den Golding in the immaculate Escort RS and the third team member Ian Archer teams up with Yorkshire rallying author Jim Goodman.

Filey resident Goodman was regarded as one of the country's top co-drivers in the 70s and 80s.

For all details go to fodmc.co.uk

For more on this story, see this week's Beacon (18th January)