The Shakedown stage for Wales Rally GB has been moved from Margam Park, near Port Talbot, to the Barrage in Cardiff Bay and will run from 19.00 until 22.00 on Wednesday 10th November.
Shakedown was originally scheduled to run from 08.00 to 12.00 on Thursday 11th.
The change of venue and time has been made by the rally organisers in a bid to further reduce the spread of the ongoing infection of trees in Margam Forest by 'Phytophthora ramorum' (P. ramorum).
Fans holding a World Rally Pass or Thursday Day Pass will be granted access to Shakedown in Cardiff Bay on the Wednesday evening. Gates will open at 18:30 for a 19:00 start and Shakedown will finish at 22:00. Please note there will be no access to the site from 21:30.
There is no dedicated spectator parking in Cardiff Bay. Ticket holders should use public car parks.
Access is on foot only by the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay - the spectator area starts approximately 1km from the Norwegian Church. No bikes allowed.
The official Start and ceremonial Finish celebrations will take place in Cardiff Bay. The top 12 cars will be flagged off on the Cardiff Bay Stage on Thursday evening at approximately 18.20 to mark the start of the 2010 Wales Rally GB. Shortly after this ceremony, the first of the competitive stages will take place - the all-new Cardiff Bay Stage.
UPDATE: An autograph signing session will take place outside the front main doors of Wales Millennium Centre prior to the Start ceremony from 16.25 - 17.30.
The ceremonial Finish will take place in Cardiff Bay at approximately 15.25 on Sunday 14th November (National event ceremonial Finish at approximately 14:00 in the same location) against the backdrop of HMS Monmouth, docked in Cardiff Bay during the Rally weekend. Viewing of the Finish ceremony is free of charge.
New for 2010, this stage is located within walking distance of Rally HQ at Wales Millennium Centre and the main Service Park in Roald Dahl Plass (approx a 1km walk from the Norwegian Church to the start of the spectator area on the stage). Run on both Thursday and Saturday evenings, it will feature a fast approach across Cardiff Bay barrage before the cars enter the spectator area which they will pass through twice before heading to the stage finish.
Hospitality available
SS1 19:30 Thursday 11 November
SS16 18:34 Saturday 13 November
The Hafren stage uses the classic smooth roads of this Mid Wales forest. The stage route is unchanged from last year and is characterised by very long corners. This stage, as well as Sweet Lamb and Myherin, are always popular with rally fans travelling from the Midlands or the North.
SS2 09:38 - Friday 12 November
SS5 13:51 - Friday 12 November
Located straight after Hafren, this short stage offers extensive viewing from the hillside around the Sweet Lamb Bowl. The cars are visible for over 1 mile as they traverse a deep watersplash, jumps and hairpin bends before crossing the River Wye by a ford and head towards the stage finish. There is easy access to the spectator car park for this stage from the A44.
Hospitality available.
SS3 10:19 - Friday 12 November
SS6 14:32 - Friday 12 November
Situated to the south of the A44, this forest has been the scene of a large wind farm development in recent years. The roads vary from narrow forestry tracks to wide roads over the open moorland. The car park is situated on the south side of the forest and gives access to a number of viewing points in clear felled areas of the forest.
SS4 10:37 - Friday 12 November
SS7 14:50 - Friday 12 November
Making its return after an 11 year absence, the Radnor stage located in the Welsh Borders is ideally located for those coming from the Birmingham area. The stage uses fast roads which wind around the hillside; the morning run may be affected by fog making for tricky driving conditions.
SS8 09:03 - Saturday 13 November
SS12 14:12 - Saturday 13 November
Monument Hill is a non-spectator stage with no car parking or spectator access.
The relaxation of the WRC regulations has allowed the use of a mixed surface stage for the first time in many years. The demanding asphalt roads of the Epynt Military Ranges have been linked to the gravel roads of last year's Crychan stage to produce a stage which will be a real test of both driver and car. The asphalt section can be viewed from the main Halfway (Dixies) car park making this a great location to view from many different points throughout the day. There will also be car parks servicing the forest section of the stage.
SS10 10:38 - Saturday 13 November
SS14 15:47 - Saturday 13 November
Like Four Ways Crychan, this stage is located on the Epynt Military Ranges and has two distinct sections. The first part of the stage is through classic forest roads with long corners. The second part is very wide and fast over open moorland on the Army gravel roads with jumps and corners on crests to catch the unwary. There are car parks serving both parts of the stage, the main Dixies car park offering viewing of the Four Ways Crychan stage as well.
Hospitality available.
SS11 11:17 - Saturday 13 November
SS15 16:26 - Saturday 13 November
Most of this stage was used as part of the Rhondda stage last year but will run from North to South this year. Using wide forest roads high up on the Rhigos Mountain, the stage includes long fast stretches broken up with tight junctions. There are excellent views of the cars over long stretches of the stage in clear felled areas of the forest.
SS17 07:47 - Sunday 14 November
SS19 12:02 - Sunday 14 November
As well as being used for the event Shakedown on Thursday, the roads within Margam Park will provide the setting for the final stage of this year's Wales Rally GB. There will be easy access from the car park and great viewing across the open parkland.
Hospitality available.
SS18 09:00 - Sunday 14 November
SS 20 13:15 - Sunday 14 November
On Friday 12 and Saturday 13 November, Wales Rally GB revisits the ancient market town of Builth Wells in mid-Wales. Located at the Royal Welsh Showground in the heart of Powys, the remote service park will be easily accessible and an exciting addition to the main service park in Cardiff. Here fans will be able to get up close to all the action of service, the cars and the drivers. As well as being kept fully entertained by the rally teams who will be battling against the clock to fine tune their cars, spectators will be able to refuel themselves with the on-site catering. Further, Builth will act as the Service Park for competitors in the National event running on Saturday. Please see timetable link above for more information.
12:25 - Friday 12 November
13:17 - Saturday 13 November
New for 2010 is the Rallyfest zone which will take over the Cardiff Bay area for four days and will play host to the main event Service Park.
Fans will be able to watch drivers bring their cars to get repaired and serivced and enjoy the trade stands, big screen showing footage and entertainment.
Easily accessible by public transport and from the City Centre, the Service Park will be a hive of rally activity - guaranteed to be a great day out for rally fans and families alike.
Rallyfest Cardiff Bay will feature:
Entry to Rallyfest and the Service Park is free.
For more information about Cardiff Bay, please visit http://www.visitcardiffbay.info/ or for a map of Cardiff Bay, click here.
www.visitcardiff.com/ or contact the Cardiff Visitor Centre on 08701 211258 or visitor@cardiff.gov.uk
Visitors to the Conwy and Llandudno area can find more information at http://www.visitllandudno.org.uk/
Please click HERE for a link to the frequently asked questions.
A variety of hospitality packages to suit all budgets are available to enhance your Rally experience. More information can be found on the HERE.
A full range of merchandise is available by clicking here
Keep updated with all the action from all the stages! Rally Radio will be broadcasting live on 87.7FM. Tune in to hear all the latest stage times, driver information and updates on the event schedule!
