RALLY fans were all revved up as the 50th anniversary Richard Cole Contracting Wyedean Stages roared through the Forest of Dean on Saturday.

A rally car negotiates a tight turn on one of the Forest stages
Wyedean winners Matt Hirst and Declan Dear negotiate a tight turn. Photo: James Townley (James Townley)

Nearly 100 crews put their pedal to the metal in the Forest of Dean Motor Club-organised event, testing themselves over 41 miles of classic woodland trails.

Wyedean veterans Eric Davis and Russell Joesph rev it up in the Mini Clubman 2
Wyedean veterans Eric Davis and Russell Joesph proved popularin the Mini Clubman 2. Photo: Paul Mitchell Photography (Paul Mitchell Photography)

Seven stages included morning and afternoon repeats around the Speech House trails near Coleford, and Yorkley and Serridge, with the finale at Staple Edge near Soudley.

Jeremy Harris and daughter Alex took 28th and sixth in class in their Escort Mexico
Jeremy Harris and daughter Alex took 28th and sixth in class in their Escort Mexico. Photo: Paul Mitchell Photography (Paul Mitchell Photography)

The ceremonial start saw the first car launching off from Cinderford RFC at 8am, while central service was based at Ross-On-Wye Livestock Auction Mart.

The Forest roared with the sound of rally racing in the 50th anniversary Wyedean Stages
The Forest roared with the sound of rally racing in the 50th anniversary Wyedean Stages. Photo: James Townley (James Townley)

And after all the thrills and spills, it was Matt Hirst and Declan Dear who came through the dust to take the spoils for the second year running in their Delta Salvage Skoda Fabia.

Damian Cole and Ian Allsop took a switch from roads to gravel in the Ford Escort MK2. Photo: Paul Mitchell Photography
Damian Cole and Ian Allsop took a switch from roads to gravel in the Ford Escort MK2. Photo: Paul Mitchell Photography (Paul Mitchell Photography)