The 2014 Severn Valley Stages (Saturday 31 May) has already attracted its first 20 entries even though the rally is still nearly six weeks away. With round three of the West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship running this weekend (26 April), the Severn Valley organisers are expecting a big run on entries over the following two weeks. To date, the R.A.C. Championship has drawn an average of 65 entries to each event and many of the 100 registered contenders are expected to enter the Severn Valley, including several crews making their first appearance of 2014. In addition, contenders in the Pirelli MSA Welsh Stage Rally Championship and the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship are starting to enter the event. “We are very encouraged by the early level of interest in the 2014 event,” said Secretary of the Meeting Steven Tibbetts. “We know that many R.A.C. contenders will enter after the Tour of Hamsterley. We have also designed the closing date for entries to allow Pirelli MSA Welsh contenders competing on the Plains Rally on 17 May to wait until after that event before entering.” The final closing date for entries is Friday 23 May.Midland Manor Motor Club has refreshed and re-branded the Severn Valley Stages for 2014 and will deliver a competitor-focused event offering 44 stage miles for £475. The route will take in special stages in Cefn, Crychan and Halfway forests, and both Cefn and Halfway will not have been used for 10 months by the time of the 31 May rally.The Severn Valley Stages is round four of the West Wales Rally Spares R.A.C. Rally Championship, round five of the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship and round five of the Pirelli MSA Welsh Stage Rally Championship. The rally will once again be based at the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells.The Regulations and Entry Form can be downloaded from www.severnvalleystages.co.uk