2005 Wyedean victor Paul Willetts returns to the co-driving seat, for the first time in 5 years, when he teams up with his long time friend Martyn Walby.

The pair last rallied together in 2010 when they secured the Welsh championship two-wheel-drive and class titles. This year the pair will use an historic spec Escort RS1800.

Willetts, who co-drove Dorian Rees to victory in a hired Impreza WRC in 2005, is looking forward to getting back in the forests again.

"Its great to be able to do the 40th anniversary event.

"I had a deal sorted but it fell through so, thanks to Ade McNally, I am able to sit with Martyn," said Willetts.

"We enjoyed a very successful year in 2010, and Martyn's a very good driver, so it will be great to sit with him again."

The 2005 win was extra special for him as his mother had just passed away.

"It was a fantastic day, it's unbelievable that it was ten years ago.

"That day I realised an ambition and I was lucky that my dad lived just long enough to see it come true.

"Dorian was a fabulously talented driver who, if somebody had backed him, would have gone right to the top."

It will be a busy year for Walby.

"We are building a Citroen C2 for my son Jack, but he is also doing the RAC Historic series, co-driving for Roger Matthews, and I hope to do a few rallies myself perhaps," said Martyn.

"It's good to be able to do the Wyedean with Paul. He's a very experienced bloke and knows how to get the best out of a driver."

In the mean time, organisers have yet to decide on the running order for this years event, and they are not short of contenders.

The absence of both 2013 and 2014 Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally winners, and defending REIS – RAVENOL Gold Star champion Steve Perez entering in his Lancia Stratos this time, need to decide on who will get the No. 1 on their door.

The most recent Wyedean winner is Yorkshireman Charlie Payne who took his Ford Focus WRC to top spot in 2012.

That has now been replaced by a Fiesta R5, while 2007 victors Hugh Hunter/Andy Marchbank have since switched from their Focus to an Impreza WRC.

All questions surrounding seeding will be answered in a couple of weeks' time when the entry list is published. The 40th Anniversary Weir Engineering Wyedean Forest Rally will be fielding a capacity entry of 165 cars and will run on Saturday 14th February.