Located on King Edward VIII Avenue, adjacent to Winter Wonderland and Cardiff City Hall, the all-free rally entertainment begins at 4.30pm when the world’s top rally drivers – including five-times World Champion Sébastien Loeb, four-times Wales Rally GB winner Petter Solberg and defending Wales Rally GB champion Mikko Hirvonen – will meet fans and sign autographs until 5pm.
Fans will also be able to meet Olympic gold medal winner Geraint Thomas. The Cardiff-born cyclist broke the world record in the Team Pursuit Final at the Beijing Olympics, and he’ll be signing autographs with the WRC drivers and will cycle over the start ramp before the first WRC car.
Between 5-5.30pm, Britain’s top rally drivers and the leading competitors in the FIA Production World Rally Championship will be available for autographs, before the spotlight moves to the start ramp itself.
The first of 86 competing cars will be flagged away at 6pm.
There will also be an opportunity for fans to buy the official 2008 Wales Rally GB merchandise, with the full range of high-quality items available at the Ceremonial Start.
Viewing is completely free, but for those who’d like to get a little closer to the action a new Ceremonial Start hospitality package is available at a cost of £55 (+VAT) per person. This includes an invitation to the official VIP champagne reception, canapes, a complimentary Wales Rally GB programme and access to a VIP enclosure adjacent to the start ramp.
Rally cars and drivers will return to King Edward VIII Avenue on Sunday 7 December, when the official champagne-spraying Finish Ceremony takes place. The winners of the 2008 Wales Rally GB will drive onto the finish ramp at 2.50pm, with celebrity guests there to congratulate them at the end of a hard-fought event. Once again, viewing is completely free of charge.
