By Paul Evans

Stages that featured on last year’s Wales Rally GB and an Ypres style service area in Llandudno town centre are some of the attractions of next month’s Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally which, for the first time in its history, will host the opening round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship, as well as those of the Jordan Road Surfacing BTRDA, Pirelli Welsh Stage and ANWCC Championships.

With support from Conwy County Borough Council, this year’s event on Saturday 16 February looks geared up to be the best ever. The event organisers, North Wales Car Club, hope the return to reverse seeding, which will see the lower-powered cars and historic vehicles run first on the road, will help boost entries and kick off the 2019 British rally season in style.

“I am honoured that the Cambrian Rally team has been asked to host the opening round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship in 2019,” said Cambrian Rally clerk of the course, Alyn Edwards.

“I hope that we can live up the expectations of the championship organisers and BRC competitors. We have excellent stages to offer and the team are looking forward to the challenge. We are very grateful of the support from Conwy and the confidence they have in the North Wales Car Club to put on an event of this statue within the County of Conwy.”

The event will start and finish in Llandudno’s main street, whilst the service area will also be located in the town centre. Competition will take place within the Llyn Brenig, Clocaenog, Betws y Coed and Gwydir forest areas, and all the stages have been re-graded after being used for Wales Rally GB and are in excellent condition.

“We’re delighted to support the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally again this year, it’s an event that closely fits the aims of our Events Strategy by extending the winter tourism offer,” added Councillor Louise Emery, Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development. “Being the first round of the Motorsport UK British Rally Championship will bring the event and the county extra profile nationally, and provide a boost to the local economy during a quiet time of the year.”

The event has already received a sizeable entry, with defending British Rally Champions Matt Edwards/Patrick Walsh returning in their Ford Fiesta R5 and reigning Welsh Forestry Rally Champion Dylan Davies in a Subaru Impreza.