The 2004 HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge bursts into life in the Nottinghamshire forests during the Alternative Sign Centre Robin Hood Historic Forest Stages on 6/7 March.

One of the fastest growing initiatives in British rallying will start a seven-event season on the historic section of the rally, running alongside more than 70 cars from the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship.

The vision of the Historic Rally Car Register in developing the new challenge is already reaping rewards as a growing number of cars are being readied for the series covering cars from 1975 to 1981. The 15-car field on the Robin Hood will be the biggest yet in the Classic Challenge, and more cars are set to join in as the season develops.

Heading the classic field away will be the Escort RS1800 of seasoned campaigner Martin Freestone and Chris Hayes. However, with Marcus Dodd running second in his similar car, Freestone can expect a day of tough competition.

Local ace Richard Lepley, partnered by Peter Beer, will start third in his Vauxhall Chevette HSR, followed by another HSR in the hands of Gary Midwinter/Martin Saunders. This will be the debut event for Midwinter in the car after switching over to the Classic Challenge from running a WRC car in national events.

Another crew regularly seen in a WRC car is Will Nicholls/Nick Broom, who will debut a Mk2 Escort a week after contesting the Sunseeker Rally in their Subaru Impreza WRC. This immaculate Escort has never done a forest event, so its progress will be watched with great interest!

Defending champion Gareth Lloyd starts his Escort next with Ryland James co-driving, while the 2-litre class is headed by the Escort RS2000s of Michael Pedley/David Pedley and Russ Langthorne/tba. Ranged against the RS2000s in class D3 is the Opel Kadett of Mike Collins/Mike Sutcliffe.