NEWS: Wales Rally GB Is Here!

At last: The new-look Wales Rally GB is go! We'll be there watching the final (and only UK-based) round of the WRC and we can't wait. Will you be getting involved in the gravel-spitting action?  

After months of planning and preparation, Wales Rally GB (14-17 November) is primed and ready for some spectacular action as the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) reaches its thrilling conclusion in the legendary Welsh forests.
The newly crowned 2013 WRC champion Sébastien Ogier heads the star-studded field which also includes two past Wales Rally GB winners from Scandinavia, Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala. The established rally aces will be joined by former F1 grand prix winner Robert Kubica in his first WRC car drive and Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams MBE.
The high-speed show blasts off in Snowdonia on Thursday evening (14 November) following a glittering Ceremonial Start in front of Conwy Castle. Conwy Quay from 18:30hrs will be lit up by fireworks, searchlights, flames and lasers while Conwy Castle's medieval fortifications will be transformed by some amazing digitally-created visuals.
In total the WRC competitors face 22 classic special stages, all run against the clock, before the winner is crowned back in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon. Adding to the sense of occasion, the Great Orme that overlooks both Conwy and Llandudno – and witnesses the rally's final competitive stage on Sunday – will be floodlit for the duration of the world championship event.
The event's move to north Wales not only features a new Headquarters and Service Park in Deeside but also the inclusion of three exciting new, family-friendly RallyFest Stages at Sweet Lamb (Friday), Chirk Castle (Saturday) and Kinmel Park (Sunday). Aimed at providing a full day's entertainment for all ages, these RallyFests include big screens, live music, car displays plus a host of other fun-filled attractions. There's also live music on offer at the Service Park on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
Various ticket options will be available to purchase 'on the day' from the official Wales Rally GB ticket offices at Venue Cymru (in Llandudno) and the Deeside Service Park. Alternatively, fans can take advantage of the revised ticket pricing 2013 with 'on the gate' adult entry to individual special stages just £15* on a first come first served basis.
For ticket office opening times, a full list of prices and the event timetable, visit:www.walesrallygb.com

* Limited tickets are available to purchase 'on the gate' for individual Forest and RallyFest Stages, subject to availability. World Rally Passes (providing access to all of the action over the four days), Day Passes and RallyFest tickets are on sale at the official Wales Rally GB ticket offices. Terms and conditions may apply.

NEWS: Wales Rally GB Attracts Capacity Amateur Entries

Wales Rally GB has attracted a capacity entry of amateurs – super-keen to line-up against the best of the best in WRC on a global stage at the classic Welsh gravel rally event, November 14-17th. And that means there's going to be some cracking diversity to the entry lists in this year's re-vamped events – from Mk2 Escorts and Porsche 911's, through classic Imprezas and Evos to the latest WRC beasts.
Organisers say the move to North Wales has been "hugely popular" with amateur entries – who will take part in one of two (two-day and three-day) National rallies, running in conjunction with the WRC event, on the same special stages. And one of those crews is the Race2Recovery team, running three Freelanders.

Wales Rally GB say: "Much of the appeal has come from the organisers’ strenuous efforts to ensure local teams can maximise the World Championship’s presence in north Wales. Crews competing in the two National events are based alongside the premier WRC teams in the new Service Park situated in Deeside. Their concurrent routes feature many of the same classic Welsh forest stages as well as the exciting new spectator RallyFest stages at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park. Finishers will receive their trophies on the newly designed, high-profile WRC Start/Finish Podium in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon."
In total a maximum of 100 places were available, with five of these being offered free to the winners of the various national rally championships as part of the ‘Road to Wales’ initiative. The remaining 95 places have all been filled with the organisers now only accepting a handful of hopeful reserves.
“We are thrilled to announce a maximum capacity entry for the two National Rallies – it’s further proof of just how popular the move to an exciting new base in north Wales is proving to be,” said a delighted Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of event organiser International Motor Sports. “For so many reasons it’s vitally important that Britain’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship acts as an inspiration to all those involved in the sport. That’s why it’s especially encouraging to see so many of our enthusiastic amateurs keen to pit their skills against rallying’s elite on what are some of the world’s best special stages. What’s more the full entry will provide fans with lots of extra entertainment.”
Adult tickets for individual stages start from just £15* while Day Passes providing multiple stage access can be purchased for just £33*. Moreover both tickets include a free programme valued at £7.50. Full details can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com websites.

Footnote: While both National events are sold out, ambitious amateurs can still tackle the full Wales Rally GB with its 196 miles of timed sections starting in Snowdonia after dark on Thursday evening – entries for that close on 15th October. Indeed, to encourage local teams to gain World Championship experience, the organisers are offering crews a significantly discounted entry fee (reduced to £1500 from £2598) where both driver and co-driver hold an MSA competition licence and a British passport.
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International entries for Wales Rally GB still available.

NEWS: Wales Rally GB Family Fun

Wales Rally GB is getting closer – November 14-17th – and the UK’s concluding round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship not only features a new home in north Wales but also an exciting new competitive route, with plenty on offer for hardened rally fans naturally, but also lots of family-friendly fun too.
The family-friendly fun includes:
• Three new RallyFest Stages aimed at wowing wider audiences
• Special spectator experiences at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park
• Discounted ticket offers for families booking in advance
The action-packed, four-day schedule includes 22 competitive special stages and features the re-introduction of some classic timed sections in the legendary Welsh forests and around the Great Orme. It will also see the inclusion of some exciting new venues aimed at taking what’s one of the world’s most thrilling and dramatic high speed sports to new audiences.
Stages at Sweet Lamb in Powys on Friday, Chirk Castle near Wrexham on Saturday and Kinmel Park in Conwy on Sunday have been designated as special RallyFest Stages. As well seeing all the top class rally cars in spectacular action twice during the day, all three RallyFests will provide a wide range of facilities and entertainment not traditionally found in the forests.
Setting out to appeal to those spectators either new to rallying or planning to attend with young children and looking to spend the entire day in one location, RallyFest Stages will include a big screen with live coverage, catering village, live commentary, on-stage and static displays of historic rally cars, a chance to win some great prizes plus a range of other attractions to entertain those of all ages. Visitors can also enjoy live music from bands, with The Establishment among those performing at Chirk Castle while The Gramotones will be keeping the crowds entertained at both Sweet Lamb and Kinmel Park.
Further enhancing the experience, significant discounts are available for families attending these RallyFests. Individual adult tickets are priced at just £25*, but the special family offer for two adults and two children, if booked in advance, is an even more affordable £42* with an extra £1* for each additional child. Every adult RallyFest ticket also includes a free programme normally priced at £7.50.
“The move to north Wales has not only allowed us to refresh the entire event but also to make the sport far more accessible to a totally new audience – these family-friendly RallyFest stages are designed to do just that,” said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of event organisers International Motor Sports Ltd. “Sweet Lamb has always been a very popular viewing spot for rally enthusiasts but Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park are totally new venues.
“More importantly both are close to major road networks and thus just a short drive from large conurbations in Wales and the North West of England such as Manchester and Liverpool,” continued Coe. “Rallying has always had enormous appeal in the UK; it wasn’t so long ago that more than a million people would watch the RAC Rally. Now these new RallyFest Stages will help the sport to re-engage with some of those former fans as well as excite a whole new generation of avid followers.
“All-comers will be treated to some fast-moving, mind-blowing action in Kinmel Park while the more compact Chirk RallyFest is going to be a ‘must see’ family-friendly attraction. Not least as it’s set against the ancient 14th Century ramparts with day-long, high octane entertainment the likes of which the historic National Trust property will never have seen before in its 700year history!”

Discover more here.

NEWS: Wales Rally GB Hospitality Packs Are Go!

Wales Rally GB hospitality packages are now on sale – offering four cool packages, at four sensational Wales Rally GB viewing points, with different hospitality locations for each day of the rally (14-17 November), priced from just £129 +VAT. See the only round of the WRC in the UK in style... 

With the event heading back to its roots and having been relocated to North Wales for this year, the hospitality on offer for 2013 is based at all-new in-stage viewing points. On each day of the rally, from the Thursday to the Sunday, the hospitality will be situated in a different stunning location along the rally route.
For qualifying on the Thursday in the middle of Coed Llandegla Forest, hospitality is based at the Llandegla Oneplanet Mountain Bike Centre where the thrilling forest qualifying stage will be watched from a VIP viewing point, before returning to the centre for a full hearty and traditional Welsh lunch.
On the Friday at Sweet Lamb, among some of the most magnificent scenery in the heart of mid-Wales, and with a 270° view, corporate guests will get to watch the WRC cars traverse a deep water splash, jumps and hairpin bends before competitors cross the River Wye and head over the valley. A three course meal is included, as well as access to the RallyFest entertainment area. Benefits also include live commentary and an exhilarating atmosphere from one of the largest crowds expected on any of the special stages of the rally.
Saturday’s hospitality location is the ultimate breathtaking venue – Chirk Castle – a 700-year-old fortress owned by the National Trust, and this has never previously featured as a stage on the event. Hospitality guests can take in castle views of the spectacular surrounding countryside, and after a fitting banquet lunch inside the magnificent castle, the afternoon stage will be used twice in quick succession by the WRC contenders, followed by one running of the National field.
On Sunday, true rally fans will be keen to head to Kinmel Park, which was last part of the Rally GB route in the 1970s. From here there are sensational views of the North Wales coastline, and it’s a fast stage using tracks around the old Victorian house and over rolling parkland. The in-stage experience starts with a champagne brunch at the Kinmel Arms, before guests access the VIP viewing area to see two runs of the WRC and National competitors.
Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of Wales Rally GB event organiser International Motor Sports, said: “Rallying is such an exciting product for client entertainment, and MatchPoint is the perfect partner to help us deliver the very best hospitality packages at Wales Rally GB, in four incredible North Wales forest and countryside locations.
“What’s more, Wales Rally GB hospitality offers not only great value for money, compared to other motor sport events in the UK, but also puts corporate clients right in the middle of the action with our unique ‘in-stage’ experiences at Llandegla Forest, Sweet Lamb, Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park. Being at the heart of it all is just one of the USPs of Wales Rally GB hospitality.
“Where else in the world could you imagine having lunch in a thirteenth century castle, with twenty-first century WRC cars thundering past outside! This is truly a ‘one of a kind’ experience.”
Neil Cunningham, Group Managing Director of MatchPoint, said: “We are delighted to be partnering again with Wales Rally GB. We have developed a range of options to allow our rally clientele to enjoy world class motor sport in a cost effective way. We are looking forward to working with the Wales Rally GB team again, as well as all the local suppliers, with whom we’ve built great relationships over the last three years.”
Prices for official 2013 Wales Rally GB hospitality, from MatchPoint, start at £129 + VAT per person. This is for qualifying hospitality at Llandegla Forest on the Thursday (14 November).
For further information on each of the four 2013 Wales Rally GB hospitality packages available, visitwww.walesrallygb.com/hospitality. To make a booking and secure your place at the heart of the rally, call MatchPoint directly on +44 (0)2920 022 838 or email walesrallygb@matchpoint.co.uk.

Alternatively, for general admittance, Wales Rally GB adult tickets to individual forest stages on the day have been reduced to £15* (from £20 in 2012) while Day Passes have been re-introduced providing multiple stage access for just £33* including the Qualifying Stage at Llandegla on Thursday morning. Moreover all adult tickets include a free programme priced at £7.50. The popular ‘Kids for a Quid’ scheme has been extended providing those aged between 9-15 years old with a four-day ticket giving access to all 22 stages for just £1*. Those aged eight and under are admitted free. Though included in Day Passes, individual tickets for RallyFest Stages are also available priced at £25* with significant discounts available for families. The price for two adults and two children, for example, is £42* (when booked in advance) with an extra £1* for each additional child. The World Rally Pass is available for just £99 (down from £130 in 2012). Full details can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com websites, now with a dedicated version optimised for mobile phones via www.walesrallygb.com/mobile/home.php.

And for further updates follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb or visit the website www.walesrallygb.com.

Action images - Les Kolczak - www.worldrallypics.com