“The safety of both spectators and rally crews is potentially put at risk if any cars, bikes or quads go onto the more remote sections of the rally route, especially on the MOD areas of Mynydd Epynt and in the Crychan and Halfway forests near Llandovery”, said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of International Motor Sports, organiser of Wales Rally GB.

This problem has increased in recent years to such an extent that Special Stages may now be cancelled on the grounds of safety if there is any possibility that quads or off-road bikes are seen anywhere near the Special Stages.

In response to the problem, Dyfed Powys Police will be deploying teams of specially trained officers with off-road motorbikes to monitor the movements of all vehicles and bikes in these particular areas, to ensure that visitors to the rally adhere to the events safety code.

The international governing body of motorsport, the FIA, has a permanent Safety Delegate who attends all World Championship Rallies. During Wales Rally GB he will check the entire route by helicopter and has the authority to stop or cancel a Special Stage if there is any possibility that the safety of either spectators or rally crews is in any way compromised.

Spectator car park operators are also reminding everyone that the public car parks are not a suitable place for anyone – especially children - to ride around on any form of motor bike or quad bike.