Wales Rally GB
The event gets underway on Thursday, 10th November in Llandudno, where two stages on the Great Orme Toll road – last used on the Lombard RAC Rally in 1981 – and one at Clocaenog – last used on the Network Q RAC Rally in 1996 – will make up the competitive mileage for the first day. An opening ceremony will take place outside the picturesque castle in Conwy in the early evening, before competitors and their cars return to Llandudno for overnight Parc Ferme. Friday will begin with an early morning start and the three stages in Dyfi Forest – first used on the 1961 Rally of Great Britain – before heading to Dyfnant Forest, south of Lake Vyrnwy and onto the RWAS showground for midday service. The loop will be repeated in the afternoon and competitors and their cars will stay overnight in Cardiff after travelling south from service in Builth Wells.
Members of the North Wales Car Club have played a vital role in bringing the event to the area. In 2009 several World Rally Championship competitors, including current WRC leader Mikko Hirvonen, took part in the car club’s Cambrian Rally.
“_They were so impressed by what they experienced here, that they took a very positive impression away with them. Since then, the club and the council have been working hard to bring Wales Rally GB here,”_ said Cambrian Rally organiser Alyn Edwards. Last October Wales Rally GB organised a Rallyfest in Llandudno and Conwy which attracted 14,000 enthusiasts.
Andrew Coe, of the sport’s governing body the Motorsport Association, said that had convinced the organisers to bringing the main event to North Wales. He said: “_It has always been a firm commitment of Wales Rally GB to innovate and bring new thinking to the British round of the FIA World Rally Championship_ “_We are doing that this year by visiting a far larger part of Wales, as well as some of the most iconic stages in rallying history. For 2011, we have tried hard to break the mould and give the event a fresh, re-invigorated approach.”_
Anyone able to assist the car club members should contact Keith Pulling on 01492 878622 , 07771 923247 or by email at k.pulling@btinternet.com
