The Eco tyre has been manufactured by Pirelli to reduce the sport's impact on the environment and local communities by limiting the erosion of forest rally tracks. The rally will be held on 25 October in Kielder Forest and is run by the Cumberland Sporting Car Club in association with the British Rally Championship and the Forestry Commission.
The innovative sponsorship deal between two motorsport events is part of Wales Rally GB's mission to reduce the environmental impact of motorsport and raise awareness of environmental issues across the sport as a whole. The UK and final round of this year's World Rally Championship (4-7 December), has become the first of fifteen rounds to be awarded CarbonNeutral® event status, having offset all of its carbon emissions, including all of its spectators travel.
The Greenerways Rally is a positive move forwards for the world of motorsport," explained Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS). "I am glad that Wales Rally GB is able to support the event and the testing of the Eco tyre, which will help to reduce the impact on the very environment that makes the sport what it is. It is now time that everyone involved in motorsport needs to be thinking about the future and making sure it is a sustainable one."
British Rally Championship Manager, Mark Taylor added: "Already the support we have received for this rally has been fantastic. Wales Rally GB's sponsorship is proof that the sport is sitting up and listening and investing in environmental measures."
The Forestry Commission works closely with Wales Rally GB and the British Rally Championship to make sure the needs of the sport are balanced against the impact on the forest environment. Chris Probert from the Forestry Commission said: "By reducing rallying's impact on forest roads, we can ensure the sport is more environmentally responsible for the future. It will also lower the Forestry Commission's carbon footprint as the Eco tyre will reduce the work needed to restore forest tracks."
He concluded: "It is so important that we are all working together to find a long term solution to making sure the sport has a sustainable future."
The Greenerways Rally is a one-off event, open to Group N four-wheel drive Production cars. For more information visit www.greenerwaysrally.co.uk or contact marktaylor@rallybrc.co.uk.
To keep up to date with news and information about Wales Rally GB visit www.walesrallygb.com or to book tickets call the booking hotline on 0844 8472251.
Notes to editors:
Wales Rally GB: Copyright-free images from the 2007 Wales Rally GB can be downloaded from; www.worldrallypics.com/walesrallygb
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 63 times; this year's event will be the 64th 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 the 15-round FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). It is one of only four events that have retained their unbroken World Championship status since the WRC was established in 1973.
Cardiff first hosted the rally in 2000 and the Welsh Assembly Government has supported the event since 2003. The City and County of Swansea has provided the Service Park since 2001.
WRGB is the finale of the Tesco 99 Octane British Rally Championship (rounds six and seven) and the eighth and final round of the FIA Production World Rally Championship.
Wales Rally GB is held annually and is the UK's biggest motor sport event. It is organised and promoted by International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS), the commercial arm of the Berkshire-based Motor Sports Association (MSA), the governing body for all UK motor sport.
For 2008 Wales Rally GB has become the first round of the World Rally Championship to offset all its carbon emissions, including all spectator travel. The event has been awarded CarbonNeutral® event status, confirming that the event's carbon footprint is now 'net zero'.
Access to all 19 special stages is by ticket. Buy tickets in advance for the best value for money:
• by calling the ticket hotline on 0844 847 2251
• online via the official website: www.walesrallygb.com
• or in person from Ticketline, 47 Westgate Street, Cardiff, CF10 1TL
Details on high quality hospitality packages can be obtained from Alyson Beach at Viking Hospitality, telephone: +44 (0)2920 766661 or e-mail: hospitality@walesrallygb.com.
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