The 2005 HRCR Classic Stage Rally Challenge will get off to a superb start on the Alternative Sign Centre Robin Hood Historic Forest Stages on 12/13 March. Now running in tandem with the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship, the classic category accounts for an impressive field of 20 cars in the 85-car historic entry.The commitment of the Historic Rally Car Register in developing the category for 1975-81 cars is now reaping dividends, with the best entry of classics to date for the Robin Hood. The quantity of the field is more than matched by quality!Heading the pack, and making his Classic debut, is former BTRDA champion Peter Slights who is partnered by Joyce Champion in a freshly-prepared Escort Mk2. This will be the car's debut event and Slights has not competed regularly for seven years, but no one is in any doubt about his pace and class!Local expert Richard Lepley, partnered by Ian Bevan, starts second in the category in his Escort RS1600, while classic stalwarts Gareth Lloyd and Ryland James are third on the road in their Escort. Also in the Escort pack in class D5 are Martin Freestone/Chris Heyes and Dick Slaughter/Geoff Dearing, while making their classic debut will be Stuart Clarke/Cliff Simmonds. Their BDG-powered Mk2 could be yet another leading contender as they switch from modern events.Aiming to chase the Escorts on his local event will be Stephen Hall, who has Aggie Foster alongside in his Triumph TR7V8. Hall literally lives adjacent to one of the stages, so he knows these forests better than just about anyone!The 2-litre class (for non-BD powered cars) includes the Escorts of Ian Arden/Phil Stone, Harry and Stephen Shepard and Mark and Brett Clifford. However, they could all struggle to match the Opel Kadett GTE of Bryan Gill/Nigel Hutchinson, which was one of the stars of the Roger Albert Clark Rally last November. Also Kadett mounted will be Robin Morgan/Louise Towers.Finally, class D2 (1600cc) features a battle between David Waples/tba (Talbot Sunbeam) and David Cobb/Allen Craven (Toyota Corolla).The Robin Hood is organised by Lindholme Motor Sports Club Ltd and for more details about the event, please visit the website at: robinhoodforeststages.co.uk