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Building on the huge success of last year’s event, this year’s spectacular rally features a slightlymore compact three-day route. It compromises 23 competitive special stages – totalling 191 miles – all run against the clock on a mix a traditional gravel forest tracks and fan-friendly parkland roads.
After a dazzling Opening Ceremony in Eirias Stadium, Colwyn Bay on Thursday evening, the intrepid crews face a marathon leg in mid-Wales on Friday. The weekend’s action is closer to the Deeside Service Park and includes RallyFests at Chirk Castle on Saturday and Kinmel Park on Sunday. The deserving winners will be crowned on Mostyn Street in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon.
Heading the entry list is the newly crowned 2014 World Champion, Sébastien Ogier. Having just clinched back-to-back titles, the gifted Frenchman will be the one beat on an event he won last year. Ogier, though, isn’t the only past winner targeting further success. His VW Motorsport team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala and M-Sport’s Mikko Hirvonen have both lifted the coveted Peall Trophy and are sure to provide stiff opposition. Hirvonen has an extra incentive, he’s just announced his retirement from the sport and will want to leave on a high.
No British driver has won the event since the late Richard Burns’ completed a hat-trick of triumphs back in 2000 but, with Elfyn Evans and Kris Meeke among this season’s front-runners, another famous home victory may not be that far away.
Adding the competition, the new Hyundai Motorsport team makes its Wales Rally GB debut and its top gun Thierry Neuville has already made his mark by winning in Germany. Ex-F1 star Robert Kubica is another to watch.
While the battle for the outright championship has already been decided, there are plenty of other scores to settle on the Welsh forest stages, notably in the WRC2 category where Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar and Finland’s Jari Ketomaa are still dueling it out for the title.
Following the huge popularity of last year’s event, every effort has been made to increase car parking capacity in advance of next week’s season finale. Moreover the organisers have re-introduced a dedicated Wales Rally FM radio on 87.7FM to further enhance the spectator experience.
“The excitement is really building towards next week’s event and not just among the rally fans,” says Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. “There is a real sense that this is a world class sporting event coming to the region and everyone is looking forward to it. It’s a great day out for all the family, with opportunities to get involved throughout mid and North Wales. We can’t wait to get started.”
Welsh Government Minister for the Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming the Wales Rally next week and to build on the success of last year’s revitalised event which provided the region with a multi-million pound boost, attracted thousands of spectators. It’s widely recognised that Wales has some of the finest rally stages anywhere in the world. The spectacular scenery and landscapes of North Wales will again provide the perfect backdrop for the 2014 event and I look forward to attending the the ceremonial start and to wish everyone well for another successful Rally in north Wales.”
BIGGEST BRITISH CHALLENGE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE
Not since the heady days of Colin McRae and Richard Burns have British fans had so much to celebrate on their home round of the World Rally Championship.
With Kris Meeke on the verge of his maiden WRC win and Elfyn Evans fast becoming a serious challenger, there are two British drivers in the hunt for glory. Since joining Citroen Total Abu Dhabi WRT at the start of this season, Meeke has notched up four podiums and taken the fight to Ogier on many occasions.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first full season in the WRC, and competing on Wales Rally GB will be the icing on the cake,” admitted the 35-year-old Ulsterman. “I don’t have a great deal of experience of Wales Rally GB, having only entered it once over the past eight years, but it’s always been a legendary event. My first-ever rally was actually through Dyfi Forest, so I feel at home on these stages – I can’t wait!”
Evans is a local hero in his native north Wales and, while the 25-year-old from Dolgellau is still being groomed for future stardom, he’s already proved his potential with stage wins and no fewer than five top six finishes to date in 2014. Last year, he sent the fans home happy taking WRC2 honours and finishing eighth overall – now armed with an M-Sport prepared Fiesta RS WRC a podium isn’t out of the question.
“There’s something special about contesting your home event with a world rally car and I am really looking forward to it,” said Evans. “The itinerary looks fantastic – I can’t wait to get out there and I’m sure we’re going to enjoy every minute of it.
“We’ve had a pretty good debut season, and it would be great to finish on a high at home. Of course there will be a lot of very quick drivers so we will just have to wait and see what happens. If we can show some positive speed and be challenging on occasion I’ll be happy; but more than anything I just want to enjoy the experience and put on a good show for the home crowd.”
While Meeke and Evans will spearhead the home guard, there’s plenty of other British talent on show. Matthew Wilson – once the UK’s top WRC star – makes a welcome return while young Welsh stars Tom Cave and Osian Pryce will be among those battling for WRC2 honours. David Bogie, the multiple Scottish Rally Champion, is another of those trying to enhance their reputation with a strong performance in Britain’s premier rally.