RALLY NORTH WALES 4/5 April 2014
Some of the forest stages which helped rejuvenate last November's Wales Rally GB and were praised by FIA World Rally Championship drivers, including reigning Champion Sebastien Ogier, will soon host Rally North Wales, when three of the MSA's most prestigious Rally Championships come together for the first time this year.
From newcomers to committed Championship contenders, the three individual rallies within the Welshpool-based event offer superb gravel road special stages which, for the majority of participants, will only be used once. On the sporting menu are WRGB classics such as Dyfi, Dyfnant, Gartheiniog and Penllyn.
"This year, the majority of our participants will drive competitively over the special stages only once, so we expect the already non-damaging forestry roads to be in prime condition, especially for crews with Historic cars and those competing in the smaller-engined classes", said Rally Manager Kevin Witton.
Only those entered in the 80-stage-mile National A rally (which qualifies for the MSA British Rally Championship) will contest the Dyfi Main and Gartheiniog 2 stages.
The organisers, Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club Ltd, welcome both championship and non-championship drivers and co-drivers in any category of car - current or Historic - in all three rallies, providing their vehicles comply with the Event Supplementary Regulations.
Contenders in the MSA Mintex British Historic Rally Championship and the NGK Spark Plugs BRC Challenge Trophy (the integrated support series within the MSA BRC) will compete over five, single-use special stages totalling 50 miles.
The National B rally, primarily to accommodate contenders in the televised Pirelli MSA Welsh Stage Championship, will be decided over 44 miles of competitive driving, divided into four single-use stages. Non-championship-registered drivers in all categories of cars are also eligible to enter.
This year's 'mini rally', designed especially for newcomers to forest special stages, features three special stages and 22 quality stages miles for £275. It is open to anyone with a non-turbocharged, two-wheel drive car up to 1600c, which complies with MSA General Regulation R46. With no opportunity for service between the three stages, this further reduces the cost for participants.
To further encourage entries, all entry fees can be paid in two instalments.
Full details are on the event website at www.rallynorthwales.co.uk.
This year's compact event begins in Welshpool Town Centre with a Ceremonial Start on the evening of Friday 4 April. All three rallies finish, at various times, in the Town Centre on Saturday 5 April.
Rally HQ and the main Service Area will be on the Welshpool Livestock Sales site at Buttington Cross, on the outskirts of Welshpool. There will also be a Service Area in Dolgellau.
Rally Guide 1, Supplementary Regulations, entry forms and spectator information can be downloaded from www.rallynorthwales.co.uk. Accommodation information can be found on the Powys Tourism website at http://tourism.powys.gov.uk/accommodation/accommodation-in-welshpool.php
