As the rain lashed the faces and windscreens of spectators and rally cars, champagne flowed in the Citroën camp as rally leader Sebastien Loeb was provisionally confirmed as FIA World Rally Champion for an incredible eighth consecutive year after the demise of Ford's Mikko Hirvonen.

Wales Rally GB got underway in dramatic style today (Thursday) under a beautiful blue sky, with thousands of spectators lining the Great Orme stage waiting to watch cars compete on a special stage that last saw action back in 1981.

Motorsport legend Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams will be part of a trio of motorsport icons who will be interviewed as star guests at Cardiff's Rallyfest this Saturday, 12th November.

Welsh drivers to watch at Wales Rally GB 2011! The forests of Wales will soon be reverberating to the sound of over 160 rally car engines, as Wales Rally GB returns to the country from the 10th to 13th November - opening in North Wales and closing in Host City Cardiff.

As Wales prepares to welcome the international motorsport community for the final round of the FIA World Rally Championship this week, we mark the occasion by catching up with one of Wales' most successful motorsport stars. Former British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans spoke to us ahead of his son Elfyn's debut on Wales Rally GB this weekend.

The biggest prize in motor rallying will be won in the UK in less than two weeks time when France's Sebastien Loeb and Finland's Mikko Hirvonen go head-to-head for the FIA World Rally Championship crown in one of the most challenging events of the year - the season finale, Wales Rally GB, from 10-13 November.

The Proper Welsh Milk Company - which has pledged to "bring Welsh milk back home to Wales" - has partnered with Wales Rally GB to provide rally fans with a chance to win tickets to the event.

Following the recent succession of international cultural and sporting events in the seaside towns of Conwy and Llandudno, the north Welsh coastline will soon play host to Wales Rally GB.

Wales Rally GB has linked up with the RoSPA and Higgins Rally School in Carno, Powys, to raise awareness with younger drivers throughout Wales of safer driving techniques.

Commemorative charity t-shirt to mark the 10th anniversary of Richard's 2001 World Title launched by WRC drivers.

The battle for the coveted FIA World Rally Championship title continues into the final round of the series after Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena clinched victory in Rally de España and arch rivals Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished second overall.

The countdown has started to the final round of this year's World Rally Championship hitting the streets of Cardiff and forests of mid and north Wales, where one of the most closely-contested finales for years will be decided.

Fans of Wales Rally GB - the 13th and final round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship - will be able to tune in to all of the action of the season-decider through an innovative new application.

Wales Rally GB - the final round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship - is fast approaching (10th - 13th November 2011), with entries for the International event closing on Tuesday, 11th October and potential National participants nearing a deadline of Friday, 14th October to submit applications.

Visitors to Wales Rally GB are now able to purchase a single ticket that gives access to both runs of the legendary Great Orme Stage on Thursday 10th November 2011.

After a thrilling two-way fight to the finish, the Citroën Total World Rally Team crew of Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia clinched victory on their home round of the FIA World Rally Championship, Rallye de France. The Frenchmen finished just 6.3 seconds ahead of the MINI WRC Team crew of Dani Sordo and Carlos Del Barrio.