Wales Rally GB : Full speed ahead for Wales Rally GB

Full speed ahead for Wales Rally GB

2009 Rally GB

Les Kolczak

29 March 2010, 3:09 pm

Organisers of Wales' biggest motorsport event, Wales Rally GB, have confirmed the Cardiff-based rally will take place this year from 11th-14th November.

It will be the finale and 13th round of the FIA World Rally Championship and will see Wales covered across the globe's media as many of the world's best drivers, cars, teams, fans and journalists descend upon the country to soak up all four days of rally action.

Andrew Coe, chief executive of Wales Rally GB commented: "I am delighted to announce that Wales Rally GB is returning to Wales for 2010 and can assure fans that it will offer something for everyone. We are working on bringing a number of exciting new elements into the event format which we will be able to announce at the end of April. In addition, it is looking likely our event will not only be attracting legendary names from within rallying but from the wider world of motorsport, these include Finland's former F1 World Champion, Kimi Raikkonen and America's snowboarder-turned extrovert stunt and rally driver Ken Block - so watch this space."

Speaking about Wales Rally GB's impact on Cardiff, Councillor Nigel Howells executive member for Sport, commented: "Wales Rally GB brings vast benefits to a wide range of local businesses and residents and it is fantastic news that the people of Cardiff will get to enjoy yet another world-class sporting event on their doorstep this year. In addition, Wales Rally GB gives the city the opportunity to once again welcome visitors from across Wales, the UK and worldwide."

To keep up to date with news and information about Wales Rally GB, visit www.walesrallygb.com

Ends.

For further information please contact Zoe Liberty at Prova on 01926 776900 or zoel@provapr.co.uk or John Horton on 01213 782828 or john@jhmm.co.uk

Notes to editors:

Wales Rally GB:
www.walesrallygb.com is the official website and provides regular news updates and a link to copyright-free images.
Since its inception in 1932 the rally has been run 65 times; this year's event will be the 66th edition. Enforced stoppages have included World War 2, Suez Crisis (1957) and Foot and Mouth (1967).

Wales Rally GB is the British and final round of this year's 13-round FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). To date, it is one of only two events (along with Finland) to have retained its status as both a qualifying and scoring round of the WRC since the championship was established in 1973.

In addition, this November's Wales Rally GB is the 10th and final round of the FIA Super-2000 World Rally Championship, the ninth and final round of the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship, the eighth and final round of the FIA Junior World Rally Championship and the seventh and final round of the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy International.

Wales Rally GB is held annually and is organised and promoted by International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS), the commercial arm of the Berkshire-based Motor Sports Association, the governing body of motor sport in the UK. Cardiff has hosted the rally since 2000 and the Welsh Assembly Government has been title sponsor since 2003.

Sebastien Loeb has won Rallye Monte-Carlo for a sixth time following a dominant performance behind the wheel of the Citroen DS3 WRC he shares with Monegasque co-driver Daniel Elena.

Of the 74 starters who began Wales Rally GB in Llandudno on Thursday 10th November, 40 were classified at the end of the four-day,1860 kms rally which featured 23 timed special stages as it wound its way from the North coast to the ceremonial finish in Cardiff.

As this year's Wales Rally GB - the final and deciding round of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship - draws to a close, Business Minister, Edwina Hart has announced a funding package of £1.4 million for the 2012 event.

Useful Contacts

Welsh Government

World Rally Championship

Information on Cardiff

Conwy and Llandudno

Further Information

Audience Statistics