By Paul Evans
After what many believe to have been one of the best Dayinsure Wales Rally GB’s in recent years, the event has retained its autumn place on the FIA World Rally Championship, and will run between 3-6 October next year.
The event has been based in Wales since 2000, and moved from Cardiff to its new home in Deeside in 2013. With the support of local authorities such as Conwy County Borough Council, the event has flourish over the last six years – returning it to its status as one of the best rounds of the World Championship.
Confirmation of Rally GB on the 2019 WRC calendar also suggests that a new deal may have been done between the event organisers, International Motor Sports Ltd (IMS), and the event’s title sponsor, the Welsh Assembly Government.
Financial stability is a key requirement for the WRC Promoters and FIA, so without a title sponsor, it’s questionable if Rally GB would have made it onto a calendar that has seen Chile joint the series, and other events – such as Rally Japan, which was hotly tipped to be on the calendar – not making it. Indeed, seldom has there been more events pushing for a place on the WRC calendar than right now.
In Wales, no sooner had Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia celebrated their record-breaking fifth Rally GB victory, the plaudits started to come in thick and fast from around the world, prompted by the stunning pictures of the rally’s climax which showcased the Welsh coastline and countryside to viewers in more than 150 countries.
Competitors, many travelling from as far away as Australia, Bolivia, India and New Zealand to contest what is widely regarded as one of the blue riband rounds on the WRC, were equally effusive in their praise, describing the Welsh stages as ‘challenging’, ‘rewarding’, ‘fun’ and ‘some of the best to be found anywhere in the world’.
“We thought 2017 was good, but this year has been truly exceptional,” said Dayinsure Wales Rally GB Managing Director, Ben Taylor. “The competition, the crowds, the excitement and of course the weather all combined to deliver a memorable few days. Llandudno really brought its ‘A’ game on Sunday and looked spectacular, both in reality and on TV, producing exactly the kind of final stage imagery we were looking for.”
2019 FIA World Rally Championship calendar
Rally Monte Carlo….24 – 27 January
Rally Sweden….14 – 17 February
Rally Mexico….7 – 10 March
Rally France (Tour of Corsica)….28 – 31 March
Rally Argentina….25 – 28 April
Rally Chile….9 – 12 May
Rally Portugal….30 May – 2 June
Rally Italy….13 – 16 June
Rally Finland….1 – 4 August
Rally Germany*….22 – 25 August
Rally Turkey….12 – 15 September
Wales Rally GB*….3 – 6 October
Rally Spain*….24 – 27 October
Rally Australia*….14 – 17 November
(* date subject to confirmation)