Wales Rally GB gets into gear

* Action from last year's Wales Rally GB.

 

Llangollen motorsport enthusiasts have plenty of opportunities to support Wales Rally GB as it visits the area this week.

The qualifying stage for the rally will take place at the One Planet Adventure Mountain Bike Centre in Llandegla on the morning of Thursday, November 14.

Qualifying permits the world's top drivers two runs of the forest stage as free practice commencing at 07:00 before completing their one final timed run (from 10:45) which will determine the order in which they select their starting position for the start of the rally later the same day.

It also enables crews to make any final adjustments to their cars for the competitive forest stages they will encounter over the forthcoming days. The stage will then be opened to the remaining competitors for Shakedown, non-competitive testing, from approximately 11:30.

The car park at Llandegla opens at 8pm on Wednesday , November 13.  The car park is a gravel track with a walk of approximately 200-300m from the head of the car park to the stage along a mostly downhill gravel track and single track footpaths which should take approximately 10-15 minutes. There are no handrails and viewing areas will be signposted from the car park.

The first official stage in Denbighshire takes place on Thursday evening at around 8.30pm.  

To access the car park, follow the B5105 from the Ruthin direction towards Cerrigydrudion, passing through the village of Clawydd Newydd and after two miles the car park is located on the right and opens at 8am.

On Saturday the rally visits Chirk Castle.

Never previously used as a stage on the Rally of Great Britain, Chirk provides a stunning venue for the location of Saturday's RallyFest.

The Chirk Castle RallyFest will feature entertainment including 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 The Establishment.

Chirk Castle RallyFest will be open from 11:00 - 17:30.

Directions

Enter only from the main road (A5) two miles north of Chirk and follow signs and marshals' instructions to reach the car park. Do not attempt to enter through Chirk town - all routes from this direction will be subject to road closure orders.

Car Park N Sat Nav coordinates: N52 56.575 W3 05.841

Car Park

Open from 09:00 on Saturday, the car park is located in a grass field with a walk of approximately 500m over undulating grass fields and gravel tracks from the head of the car park to the RallyFest area, taking 10-15 minutes.

Stage Viewing

Chirk Castle will offer spectators a RallyFest area on a flat gravel surface from where spectators can view the stage. There will also be a crossing point over the stage to reach the viewing areas on the steeply sloped grass hillsides and flatter grassed areas (reached by a walk along tarmac roads - rally route - steep in places) directly in front of the castle.

The stage will be used twice in quick succession with the cars passing through at two minute intervals for the WRC cars, with all other competitors after the top 15 passing through at one minute intervals.

Facilities

In addition to the above mentioned facilities, there will be toilets and catering at this location.

Back in Denbighshire, A re-fuelling station has been arranged in Corwen on Sunday, November 17 (approximately 10.30am-1.30pm). This will give spectators the chance to see rally cars drive into the town for their re-fuelling opportunity.  This will take place at the public car park on Green Lane.

The second Clocaenog Stage takes place on Sunday morning, November 17. The car park opens at 8pm on Saturday, November 16.

Tickets will be needed for the Llandegla and Clocaenog events.  To find out more information, visit: www.walesrallygb.com