The official launch of Wales Rally GB 2011, which will run from 10th to 13th November 2011, took place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, Powys, on Saturday 4th June. International Motor Sports Limited, which organises Wales Rally GB, officially unveiled the event’s all-new, four-day route and outlined the ticketing strategy.
Announcements included confirmation that tickets for the 13th and final round of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) will go on sale from 10th June 2011, with prices held at 2010 values. Stages for the event will include the legendary Great Orme Toll Road – last used on the Lombard RAC Rally in 1981; Clocaenog – last used on the Network Q RAC Rally in 1996; the classic forest stages of North and Mid Wales and the spectacular Epynt military ranges near Brecon.
The opening ceremony for Wales Rally GB will take place outside Conwy Castle on the evening of Thursday 10th November, after the first three stages have been run on Thursday afternoon. Parc Ferme on Thursday will be in Llandudno, moving to Cardiff later in the event. The Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells is the venue for Shakedown on Wednesday 9th November, and also houses the main Service Area on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November. Cardiff will host the ceremonial finish on Sunday 13th November.
Commenting on the route, Cllr Wynne Jones, Powys Cabinet Member, said: “We are thrilled to support this year’s Rallyfest and host Wales Rally GB later in the year. The area lends itself so well to rallying. We have it all, forests, mountains and magnificent scenery. The Rally brings so many benefits to the area and Powys County Council is delighted to support this prestigious event.”
Cllr Graham Rees, Corporate Modernisation Portfolio Holder at Conwy Council, added: “The Orme is a revered and iconic location within the motor sport world and we are extremely pleased that Llandudno and Conwy will play a vital part in the 2011 World Rally Championship. The event will bring a host of economic benefits to the area and after the success of last year’s Rallyfest, which 14,000 people attended, we are expecting visitor numbers to be very high.”
The inaugural Wales National Rally of 2010, which proved to be a resounding success and attracted 90 entries for the initial 45 places, will run again this year. It will start and finish at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells and run once over each of the special stages on Friday and Saturday. There are categories for both modern and Historic rally cars.
Andrew Coe, chief executive of Wales Rally GB’s organiser, International Motor Sports Limited, said: “This year’s Wales Rally GB event is all about ensuring the sport is open and accessible to everyone. Not only does the route now encompass a lot more of Wales, but people in the west of England can also reach many of the stages in less than two hours.
“We’re targeting a larger entry on this year’s event, across both the WRC and National B categories, which will provide spectators with an even greater opportunity to get up close with the drivers and their cars – all part of an affordable family day out. We’ve worked hard to keep prices low and we’re delighted to announce that, for the fourth year running, the ever popular ‘Kids for a quid’ offer will apply.”
A World Rally Pass (WRP), priced at £99, still represents the best value for money for adults wanting to take in all four days of action. Friday, Saturday and Sunday adult day passes are priced individually at £30 while children can get a day pass for just £1. Access to the Service Park is included in both the WRP and day passes, or priced separately on the day at £10 (children go free), while adult tickets to the Great Orme stage will cost just £20. As in 2010, most adult tickets will include a copy of the official Wales Rally GB programme (valued at £9), which can be collected throughout the event.*
