Announcements included an all new special stage, which will run in Cardiff Bay and a welcome return to the classic stage in Radnor Forest, near Presteigne, Powys.* The event will be the 13th and final round of the World Rally Championship and a chance for British fans to get up close to the sport on their doorstep.
This year's Wales Rally GB route provides fans, families and those who are new to the world of rallying with the perfect mix of old and new. For the first time, Cardiff Bay will play host to a special stage which will run twice, on the evenings of Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th November. The timed test of speed and driver skill will run on the Cardiff Bay barrage and into the dock area. It will be ideal for those who want to enjoy the event in Wales' vibrant capital, particularly young families, as public transport and parking are easily accessible.
For fans who revel in soaking up the nostalgia of this event, the rally will return to Radnor Forest for the first time in 11 years. The ultra fast 15.1 km stage will run twice on Saturday the 13th and promises rally followers plenty of high speed entertainment.
Other highlights include a return to the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells for undercover remote service on the Friday and Saturday. Margam Park, near Port Talbot, will host the final two competitive stages on Sunday 14th.
For the second successive year, the main service park - the hub of the event - will be based in Cardiff Bay and access will be free of charge for everyone. It is here that fans will have a real opportunity to get up close to the drivers and teams as they race against the clock to service - and often repair - their rally cars.
Organisers have worked hard to keep ticket prices low and for the third year running, the popular 'Kids for a quid' offer will apply and has been extended further than ever to include all day passes, remote service and the Cardiff Bay special stage. Wales Rally GB is a great opportunity for families to enjoy a day of top class sporting fun together from as little as £42** for a family of four.
A World Rally Pass (WRP) still represents the best value for money for adults wanting to take in all four days of action. This pass gives access to all stages, including both runnings of the inaugural Cardiff Bay special stage, the spectator favourites of Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin and the new Radnor stage. Also included is remote service, car parks and pre-event shakedown on Thursday. At just £99 the WRP is 34 per cent cheaper than it was in 2003 when the event became Wales Rally GB.
Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser, International Motor Sports Limited, commented: "This year's Wales Rally GB is bigger and better than ever and the whole organising team, myself included, is delighted to be launching the event. To bring a special stage to the Welsh capital, in the beautiful setting of Cardiff Bay, is really exciting and will be great for fans, families and those who are completely new to the world of rallying. Add to this our return to Radnor Forest and competitive ticket prices - there's not many sports at World Championship level that children can enjoy for just £1 - and the ingredients are there for a fantastic world-class sporting event that will do Wales and the UK proud."
Speaking about Wales Rally GB's impact on the region, minister for heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, said: "I hope the new elements in the event format will attract even more fans to the event this year. Wales Rally GB brings significant benefits to the local economy and it is fantastic news that the people within Wales will get to enjoy another world-class sporting event on their doorstep this year."
Cardiff Council's executive member, for sport, culture and leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: "Cardiff prides itself on being a top sporting venue and Wales Rally GB is one of the sporting highlights we host in the city. Each year the event goes from strength to strength and it's fantastic to hear about the new special stage, which will be based in the vibrant location of Cardiff Bay."
Plans to run additional national events on Wales Rally GB are in place and organisers hope to announce these shortly.
To keep up to date with news and information about Wales Rally GB, visit www.walesrallygb.com
Follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/walesrallygb
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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
Images available on request.
Notes to editors:
*The Radnor stage is only 90 minutes and less than 60 miles from the Birmingham conurbation
**Based on two adults and two children purchasing a Sunday day pass
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, 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. |
