The event will take place on April 17 and it will be the first time in over 25 years that the race's starting venue will be out of Aberdeen.

However the race is not new to Aboyne – 1977 saw a previous event start from the village's square.

The Aboyne start venue will be used again as the service park at lunchtime, and there is a host of entertainment planned for spectators to enjoy while they wait for the cars to return.

Over 100 cars contested the event last year, and while the first event of the season is in February, registrations are already flooding in for the eight-round championship.

The finish of the event will remain as before at the Thistle Hotel at Altens, which is still the headquarters for the event. The pre-event scrutineering and documentation formalities will also remain in Aberdeen on the Friday prior to the Saturday event.

Clerk of the course for the event, Gerry Potter of Aberdeen and District Motor Club, said: "We are delighted to move part of the rally to the country, and with event sponsors Station Garage Mitsubishi having their base at nearby Torphins, it's great to support that part of Aberdeenshire.

"The event will be expected to bring a useful boost to the shops and hotels in and near Aboyne, as well as an influx of visitors for the day."

The route is yet to be finalised but is expected to include some of the usual Durris and Fetteresso forests, plus a trip to the classic forest complex of Clashindarroch to test the drivers.

The rally will be run over six stages, with the service halt after Stage 3 back in Aboyne. The first two-wheel drive competitors will arrive back at the Altens Thistle Hotel just before 3pm, with the four-wheel drive entries arriving around 4pm.

Regulations are also still being finalised, and will be available on www.granitecityrally.org.uk from early February.