By Paul Evans
The route for this year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (4-7 October) has been officially unveiled, with the four-day event ending with a spectacular stage around the Great Orme, which will take in Gloddaeth Street, a jump and a beachside finish along Llandudno’s Promenade.
The extended Great Orme stage has come about thanks to the recent introduction of landmark legislation allowing local authorities in England and Wales to suspend the Road Traffic Act for authorised motor sport events. And thanks to the support of Conwy County Borough Council, the Great Orme Llandudno stage will be free for spectators, with a small charge for grandstand seating.
But that’s not the only innovation to an exciting new-look event, with a ‘double-header’ stage at The Slate Caverns, near Blaenau Ffestiniog – home to Zip World.
Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship – which attracted more than 100,000 visitors and delivered £9.4M of economic benefit to Wales last year – will start on Thursday (4 October) evening with a stage at Tir Prince Raceway near Rhyl.
Friday’s schedule includes sections of closed roads helping to create new challenges in the classic Brenig, Alwen and Penmachno forests, together with the new Slate Mountain stage. A gruelling ‘Super Saturday’ schedule will move the battle ground to mid-Wales and the legendary forests such as Myherin, Sweet Lamb, Hafren, Dyfi and Gartheiniog – while Sunday morning sees two forest tests run twice in Snowdonia, before the thrilling finale on the streets of Llandudno.
WRC teams will service their cars at the Deeside Rally Village, located in the grounds of the Toyota UK engine manufacturing plant, where entry for spectators is also free.
In total, there will be 23 special stages totalling more than 208 miles of competition.
“I am so excited by this dramatic new look to the route,” said Wales Rally GB Managing Director Ben Taylor. “Last year was amazing with Elfyn’s victory, but the new legislation has allowed us to really freshen up the event. We have a whole day in North Wales complete with a midday return to service, Super Saturday will be an epic battle and the whole things builds to a fabulous climax on Sunday with our first ever street stage. It’s going to be one to remember!”
“Wales is home to some of the world’s most legendary rally stages,” added Lord Elis Thomas, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport. “This new route is also a showcase of our fantastic Welsh landscapes and scenery with a spectacular finish along the coast during the Year of the Sea. We look forward to another successful event as some of the sport’s legendary drivers take on the challenges of the of the Wales Rally GB.”
Here is the route for the 2018 Wales Rally GB in more detail:
Thursday 4 October
SS1: Tir Prince
Friday 5 October
SS2: Clocaenog 1
SS3: Brenig 1
SS4: Penmachno 1
SS5: Slate Mountain 1
SS6: Slate Mountain 2
Service: Deeside Rally Village
SS7: Clocaenog 2
SS8: Brenig 2
SS9: Penmachno 2
Service and overnight: Deeside Rally Village
Saturday 6 October
SS10: Myherin 1
SS11: Sweet Lamb Hafren 1
SS12: Dyfi 1
SS13: Gartheiniog 1
SS14: Dyfnant (Live TV)
Regroup: Newtown
SS15: Myherin 2
SS16: Sweet Lamb Hafren 2
SS17: Dyfi 2
SS18: Gartheiniog 2
Service and overnight: Deeside Rally Village
Sunday 7 October
SS19: Elsi
SS20: Gwydir 1 (Power Stage)
SS21: Great Orme Llandudno 1
SS22: Gwydir 2
SS23: Great Orme Llandudno 2
Ceremonial Finish: The Promenade, Llandudno