This September, the North Wales coastline will play host to a sporting celebration, as 2012 marks the 80th anniversary of the first Rally of Great Britain. In honour of this milestone, Wales Rally GB will see a ceremonial start in Llandudno on Thursday, 13th September.
New for 2012, the leading 14 WRC crews, in order of fastest to slowest qualifiers, will be able to select their start positions on the road for the first competitive day of the event. When these crews are announced onto the start podium in Llandudno, they will declare their preferred starting position and will be joined by youngsters drawn from a local competition and local government representatives for photographs. Each crew will then be flagged off from the start podium onto the promenade in Llandudno, with proceedings beginning at 19:00.
Llandudno will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Rally of Great Britain with a free of charge display of rallying greats along the promenade, including the Stig Blomqvist 1982 Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, the Kenneth Eriksson 1986 Lancia Delta S4 and the Colin McCrae 2001 Ford Focus WRC. Running alongside the display will be a selection of traditional funfair rides, from a carousel to coconut shy. The free of charge funfair will take place at the top end of the promenade with a band playing live music from the bandstand.
Earlier in the evening, there will be an autograph signing session at Venue Cymru, from 17.30-18.00. All of the leading WRC crews will be attending the session, with fans able to attend free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. Llandudno will also host all of the cars overnight as they are placed under Parc Ferm conditions before the first stage on Friday 14th.
Finally, for fans looking for that special experience, an 80th anniversary dinner and hospitality experience will be on offer, featuring VIP seating for the opening ceremony and a gourmet dinner alongside celebrity motorsport guests in Venue Cymru. Prices start from 149 +VAT, with further details available at www.matchpoint.co.uk, email walesrallygb@matchpoint.co.uk or call 02920 022 838.
Welsh Business Minister Edwina Hart said: In this wonderful sporting year for Wales, it is great to welcome Wales Rally GB back to North Wales as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the first Rally of Great Britain. Wales Rally GB has become a regular sporting spectacle for Wales which has developed significant links with the Welsh automotive sector, which employs over 3,000 people and has an annual turnover of 3billion. Llandudno is a wonderful venue for the ceremonial start of what I'm sure will be another memorable Wales Rally GB event this year.
Cllr Graham Rees, Conwy County Borough Council, said: Were delighted to welcome Wales Rally GB back to North Wales. Llandudno has really pulled out all the stops in starting this celebratory Rally in style. The collection of cars that will line the promenade is sure to be impressive and I am so happy to see that it will be open to all, free of charge.
Andrew Coe, chief executive of Wales Rally GB, cant wait for the ceremonial start: Having the Wales Rally GB ceremonial start in Llandudno is very special, particularly in the 80th anniversary year. Rallying is very popular in North Wales and the collection of rallying legends on the promenade will no doubt add to a brilliant atmosphere.
On Friday the event moves down to the classic Dyfnant, Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin tests after a remote service in Newtown. Saturday 15th takes the rally to the stages of Crychan, Epynt and Halfway, after which the rally visits Celtic Manor for the first time, before service in Cardiff. For the final day, Wales Rally GB visits Port Talbot, Rheola and Likes Land Rover at Walters Arena, before returning to those stages again after Cardiff service. The official finish ceremony of the event will take place in Cardiff Bay after the final stage.
Tickets are on sale at www.walesrallygb.com. For the latest updates, directions and stage information, follow Wales Rally GB on Twitter @walesrallygb, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walesrallygb or visit the website www.walesrallygb.com.
