KIELDER Forest’s gravel tracks are preparing for the sound of high revving engines once again this year.

The annual Pirelli International Rally will make a return on Saturday, April 27, and preparations are already well under way.

And the latest offering is set to bring a host of hard-charging, high speed cars to the prestigious venue, for a rally which will count towards four major championships.

With cars from throughout eras taking part in the differing categories, rally enthusiasts will be in for a quite a spectacle.

The Kielder Forest area is somewhat iconic in rallying circles and was for many years in the 1960s and 70s a regular part of the Lombard RAC Rally which attracted all the top drivers to compete in Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.

A spokesman for the event said: “The event will unquestionably bring back memories of the 1960s and 70s when huge crowds flocked to the area, blocking all the roads in the North Tyne area, to see the famous Lombard RAC Rally and a host of the world’s top drivers passing through.

“This year marks Kielder Forest’s 100th anniversary and the organisers are keen to mark the occasion.”

The event will be part of four major championships so there should be quite a line-up when the rally arrives in Tynedale.”

The prestigious FIA Celtic Trophy will see a large contingent of Irish crews taking part.

The British Rally Championship will be packed with home grown talent, all out to win the coveted title.

The British Historic Championship will see a large contingent of iconic cars from yesteryear, including Ford’s all conquering Escort, Hillman Avengers, and the famous Mini Cooper, bringing a touch of nostalgia and memories of rallies gone by.

“These cars are still remarkably quick and are a great favourite with the large crowds of spectators who flock to see the action,” said the spokesman.

Last year’s rally brought almost 140 of the country’s fastest cars and drivers to Tynedale to compete over some 100 miles of special stages, with the tight, twisting and extremely unpredictable forest tracks taking their toll.