Welsh forests are ready to welcome a stellar 148-car entry into the 2016 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (27-30 October), the penultimate round of this year’s dramatic FIA World Rally Championship.
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The event has grown to be a firm favourite in the events calendar, and is one of the last events to take place during Wales’ Year of Adventure 2016. It also comes in the same week as north Wales has been listed in the Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017 - as one of the top ten places in the world to visit in 2017.
Moreover, reflecting the ‘Year of Adventure’ in Wales, this year’s speed tests are the longest and most challenging since the rally moved to its new base in the north of the country in 2013. The route comprises 22 special stages totalling 206 competitive miles. Adding to the degree of difficulty, many of these are tackled in reverse direction for the first time in a generation and are all run against-the-clock on a challenging mix of traditional gravel forest tracks and parkland roads.
The event will begin at the opening ceremony in Parc Eirias, Cabinet Secretary, Ken Skates will be present for the official start and said:
“This Year’s Wales Rally GB promises to be another spectacular event and as our Year of Adventure 2016 comes to an end it shows the range of amazing adventures which can be had here in Wales. We’re looking forward to the 2016 event and to build on our experiences of previous years which have been such a success with fans and competitors alike and have given a major boost to the north and mid Wales economy.
“Wales has some of the finest rally stages anywhere in the world and the Wales Rally GB is a showcase for the spectacular scenery and landscapes of north Wales.”
The Economy Secretary will also welcome home the winner in Llandudno on Sunday evening. The Opening Ceremony in Colwyn Bay and the Ceremonial Finish in Llandudno are free of charge events. For those in mid Wales, Newtown offers a great chance to see the rally cars and stars up close in the town centre at lunchtime on Friday.
Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, said:
“The excitement is really building. We’ve got 22 of the finest rally stages in the world, a fantastic entry list featuring the world’s best drivers and a huge crowd anticipated.
“Better yet, we have genuine hopes of a strong British result, after Kris Meeke’s impressive performances this season. It all adds up to an utterly unmissable world championship event.”
As with any major international sporting event, Dayinsure Wales Rally GB enjoys extensive live and post-produced television coverage.
Both free-to-air Channel 5 and satellite broadcaster BT Sport will be screening a pre-event magazine show, daily highlights programme each day, plus live coverage of Sunday’s concluding Power Stage from Llyn Brenig. Channel 5 will also be broadcasting a highlights review show at 7pm on Monday evening. Viewers can tune into S4C’s Ralio+ programme.