VIDEO: Wales Rally GB Amazing In-Car

It was an absolutely belting classic Wales Rally GB and massive congratulations to the organisers for re-vamping the event, which attracted HUGE crowds and saw some amazing rallying action – dominated, as throughout 2013, by VW in their inaugural WRC season, who rounded off their record-breaking, historic year with a 1-2 podium with Sebastian Ogier and Yari Matti-Latvala. Incredible. We will be publishing a Wales Rally GB special very soon in Road Magazine, with all the thrills, spills and rally aches – but meantime, why not enjoy one of the stars of 2013... the impossible cool Andreas Mikkelsen in his VW Polo R WRC on one of the best, fastest, most slippery an tricky gravel stages of the event – SS12, Gartheiniog. Nine minutes of flat out, ballsy rally driving to showcase just how amazing that Polo R is, and why Wales Rally GB is so special and unique! And rising star Andreas' raw talent and speed.

VIDEO: VW Polo R, Ogier, Ingrassia & Volkswagen Motorsport Make WRC History

Bobble hats off to VW. With the indispensable help of WRC-God, Carols Sainz, the team has done the unthinkable/unbelievable/unrepeatable – winning the WRC drivers (Seabastian Ogier), co-drivers (Julien Ingrassia) and manufacturers (VW Motorsport) championships, by a country mile in Rally Spain last weekend. And what a great event the WRC's only mixed surface (fast, wide, slippery tarmac and loose gravel) event turned out to be – opening with night stages, huge crowds, a roundabout donut section of one stage and some fabulous driving through the dust. In the end, Yari-Matti had no luck (but more than Dani Sordo & Andreas Mikkelsen) and Ogier had it all. Enjoy the round-up video. Putting VW's inaugural WRC season into perspective for a moment... no one in the 40 year history of WRC has ever accomplished such highs or dominance on all surfaces, or is likely to again. For what it's worth, Road salutes your unreal achievement Team VW – and with a car that looked, sounded and obviously went a load better than the competition too. Bravo! And now the 2013 WRC titles are neatly wrapped up, Wales Rally GB will be a gloves-off, no-holes-barred, maximum attack, guts and glory war. Can't wait! Bring it on!

VIDEO: Getting In The Mood For Wales Rally GB. You going?

Get your tickets here. See you there!

NEWS: Wales Rally GB £5,000,000 Economy Boost

Organisers of the only UK WRC round – Wales Rally GB, 14-17th November – today say the stella event is set to boost the Welsh economy to the tune of £5,000,000.

They say there will be big benefits for hotels, companies and communities in Wales, a boost to the Welsh automotive sector and overall positive effect to the Welsh international profile and reputation.
The event organisers also claim the arrival of the prestigious FIA World Rally Championship in North Wales later this year is already delivering significant benefits to a wide range of different key sectors within the Welsh economy.
A spokesman said: "The final round of this year’s WRC will have its Headquarters and central Service Park based at a new site located alongside the Toyota Engine Plant at Deeside with a ceremonial start in Conwy and finish in Llandudno. The move not only highlights the automotive industry’s importance to the Welsh economy – more than 15,000 people are employed in automotive manufacturing in Wales generating an annual turnover of £3 billion – but it’s also benefiting local businesses. One obvious example is Mold-based civil engineering contractor FG Whitley which has been contracted by event organiser, International Motor Sports, to carry out major constructions preparing the new site in readiness for the arrival of the world’s top rally teams, much of this work is using Welsh stone, too.

"A large number of other Welsh companies also are profiting from the event. North Wales based graphic design agency View Creative has been engaged by IMS to provide Wales Rally GB with an exciting new look, which is being used on all communications and web-based materials throughout the world. Another beneficiary is Llandrindod Wells-based company Performance Clothing; it has been licensed to produce all the official Wales Rally GB clothing while the Orchard Media & Events Group in Cardiff has been engaged by IMS to produce TV and digital advertising materials.
"The media sector enjoys further benefits, too, with rounds of the WRC being aired on S4C, the Cardiff-based Welsh language TV broadcaster and IMS investing a considerable proportion of the high profile event’s advertising budget with Heart Radio in North Wales.
"With thousands of rally fans and teams members descending on Deeside as well as the legendary Welsh forest stages where the high-speed action takes place, hotels are also gaining from the World Championship’s presence in Wales at what’s a time of low occupancy. IMS alone has reserved more than 600 room nights for its organising team."
And Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of IMS added: "It has been calculated Wales Rally GB brings more than £5m to the Welsh economy – I think that figure is now somewhat conservative taking into account both the investment we are making in refreshing the event and the added interest that is generating in terms of an increase in advanced ticket sales. 

"There are, of course, many other equally important if less quantifiable benefits. The enormous international television coverage reminds global audiences of the spectacular scenery and landscapes of North Wales while, in the actual region, many local charities benefit from donations generated by spectator car parking."
Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, added: "Our support for Wales Rally GB acts as a key driver in delivering the Welsh Government’s key commitment of strengthening the conditions that create jobs, wealth and sustainable growth. The Welsh economy receives an immediate benefit during Wales Rally GB with teams, marshals, businesses and spectators spending considerable amounts on accommodation, food and drink, hospitality – before, during and after the event.
"This world class sporting event is an ideal platform to show a global audience what Wales has to offer. In order to maximise the benefits of hosting the event in Wales, we will also organise events alongside the rally. An industry awareness event for students will be held alongside the new Wales Rally GB Service Park in Deeside and we will also work with Welsh Automotive Forum to plan an automotive conference at Venue Cymru."
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

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

NEWS: Cholmondeley Pageant of Power/WalesRally GB Rally Star List Grows

The list of amazing WRC and BRC stars and cars attending this year's Cholmondeley Pageant of Power – thanks largely to a fab new association with Wales Rally GB – is growing nicely and now includes the Qatar M-Sport Ford Fiesta, which just came third in Rally Acropolis.

On top of this, the famous Rally Village to host famous historic models driven by Colin McRae, Jari-Matti Latvala and others and a host of top WRC and BRC drivers to race at the Pageant, including British WRC Academy-winner Elfyn Evans and junior rally champions, no to mention legendary Group B cars to carry out full-acceleration demonstrations for crowds.
Visitors to the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (www.cpop.co.uk; 14-16 June) will be able to get up close and personal with some of the biggest names from both the World Rally Championship (WRC) and British Rally Championship (BRC), as a host of star drivers and their 2013 championship-contending machines descend upon the Cholmondeley Estate.
An exciting new partnership with Wales Rally GB will see the Pageant of Power – the UK’s biggest celebration of power and speed – play host to a packed schedule of on-track action featuring a number of British rally drivers.
Amongst them will be rising Welsh star Elfyn Evans, who will take to the course in his Qatar M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5. Throughout the 2012 season, hot shot Evans secured first place in the FIA WRC Academy, the one-make feeder series to the WRC, along with the R2 title in the BRC and the UK Fiesta Sport Trophy.
Other notable British stars lining up to compete around the 1.2-mile track include Tom Cave, who finished second in the 2012 BRC, and reigning Class 3 Welsh National Champion Benjamyn Mckay, while James Ford, Alex Parpottas and Gary Wright complete the BRC entry list.
From further afield, the Proton R3 Motorsports rally team will also be participating in the Pageant of Power, entering the Satria Neo S2000 into the event. Proton Motorsports has enjoyed a great deal of success across Asia with the vehicle, which took the 2011 Asia-Pacific Championship title and finished runner-up in the 2012 Super 2000 World Rally Championship.
Away from the latest rally cars, over twenty iconic Group B cars and drivers will go head to head in machines from an era that many consider to be the ‘golden age’ of rallying. The line-up of these incredible machines will include an Audi Sport Quattro, Audi Quattro A1 and a Peugeot 205 T16, with ex-Peugeot works driver Kevin Furber behind the wheel.
Also on display in the Pageant’s Rally Village – a new addition for 2013 – visitors will be able to view some of the most iconic cars from rallying history, including Colin McRae’s 1996 WRC Subaru Impreza and his 1999 Safari-winning Ford Focus. Also confirmed to be on display will be Jari-Matti Latvala’s 2010 Ford Focus, which took a podium finish in Rally GB that year, and Mikko Hirvonen’s 2010 Monte Carlo-winning Ford Fiesta S2000.
With 2013 seeing the twentieth anniversary of its first win, Francois Delecour’s Ford Escort Cosworth WRC – winner of four rallies between 1993 and 1994 – will be on display to the public for the very first time. There will also be the 1970 Ford Escort which took Hannu Mikkola to victory in the gruelling 16,000-mile London to Mexico World Cup Rally.
James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, said: "The rally display is going to be one of the highlights of the event and we’re really excited to be hosting some of the greatest cars and drivers from all eras of the sport. Out on track, visitors will be able to witness some of the fastest, most versatile racing machines in the world, while the new Rally Village will showcase some of the most successful and iconic vehicles from the rallying history books."
Now in its sixth year, the 2013 Pageant will take place on the Cholmondeley Estate in Cheshire from 14 to 16 June, celebrating power and performance in its many forms. Until 13 June, adult tickets start at just £24 for the Friday Preview Day, and £32 to see all the action on Saturday or Sunday. Under-16 tickets are currently available from just £5 for the Friday Preview Day and £7 for Saturday and Sunday tickets.
To buy tickets or find further information, visit www.cpop.co.uk.

Wales Rally GB takes place from 14 to 17 November, moving to North Wales in 2013. For event and ticket details go to www.walesrallygb.com.
For the latest 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

NEWS: New Era For Wales Rally GB With BRC Partnership

Great news for rally fans! International Motor Sports – the organisers of the fabulous Wales Rally GB – has announced an exciting new partnership with the MSA British Rally Championship, which as well as providing a raft of mutually beneficial marketing and publicity benefits will offer no fewer than six front-runners with FREE entries into Wales Rally GB (14-17 November). Airhorns at the ready! 

The top three finishers in the overall BRC championship as well as class winners in both British Junior and RallyTwo Rally categories will all be offered free entries into the concluding round of the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship. Additionally the winner of the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge will be awarded a free entry into the National Rally that runs alongside the WRC event in the legendary Welsh Forests. These free entries will be transferable to the next highest finishers should the winning crews not be able to attend Wales Rally GB.
The far-reaching collaboration between the UK’s round of the globe-trotting FIA World Rally Championship and this country’s premier national rally championship will form an integral part of IMS’s latest the ‘Road to Wales’ initiative – a targeted activity promoting Wales Rally GB including special displays at major events such as the renowned Cholmondeley Pageant of Power (14-16 June) and Castle Combe’s popular Rallyday (21 September):

"It’s every rally driver’s dream to compete on the world championship stage and we are thrilled to be helping the top performers from the British Rally Championship to make that step up into the big time," explained Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of IMS. "While there are, of course, other significant costs involved, hopefully the provision of these free entries will be a big incentive as we’d like to see all the front-runners from our top national championship furthering their careers by competing in what’s the sport’s biggest event in this country. After all that’s how future champions such as Colin McRae and Richard Burns earned their spurs and came to prominence."

Coe is keen to emphasise that the provision of free entries into Wales Rally GB is just one aspect of a wide-ranging new affiliation between IMS and the BRC.
"By working together we can really make a difference in promoting rallying within the UK," continued Coe. "The exciting partnership includes a comprehensive programme of joint advertising, database, social media and other marketing schemes that will benefit all involved in the sport as well as forming a key component in our overall ‘Road to Wales’ campaign."
Mark Taylor, Managing Director of the MSA British Rally Championship, also welcomed the new partnership. He said: "I want to commend the Wales Rally GB team; they are determined to make the 2013 event a real success and we are resolute in our support of the Road to Wales campaign. The WRGB roadshow will be attending some of the BRC events taking the opportunity to talk to marshals, officials as well as competitors and fans.
"Let's not kid ourselves, the winning drivers will still need to find some more budget to enter Wales Rally GB, but thanks to Pirelli and Citroën who have kindly assisted in support with cash prizes and tyres, the additional costs are much less than what they would normally be.
"The Road to Wales leads to an end of season finale, an aspirational pinnacle for our champion drivers and co-drivers. I hope the rally community gets behind the scheme – let's showcase and celebrate the very best of our home grown talent to the rest of the world."
For the latest 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

VIDEO: 2012 WRC Wales Rally GB Highlights

Here's all the action from Wales Rally GB this weekend. The 1604-kilometre, 19-stage (325kms) event, drier than usual thanks to its move out of Winter to the end of Summer on the WRC calendar, finally gave Finnish Yari-Matti Latvala a Rally GB win, in the Ford Fiesta RS WRC. He won eight from 19 special stages and completed the event in 3 hours 3 minutes 40.3 seconds, almost a whole half a minute quicker than second-placed Frenchman Sébastien Loeb's Citroen DS3 WRC. Latvala's Norwegian Ford team-mate Petter Solberg completed the podium after losing out to Loeb by the tiny margin of 0.9 seconds, in one of the closest dog fights on the event for years. Ace! See more news and special stage times at: www.walesrallygb.com

VIDEO: 2012 WRC Wales Rally GB: Shakedown

Here's the highlights from the Rally GB shakedown, from a remarkable sunny and warm Wales... bring on the special stage action!