Organisers of Wales Rally GB confirmed a top quality competitor line-up for the 2012 event.

The tenth round in the thirteen-round FIA World Rally Championship will feature the sports top teams, drivers and co-drivers, including Sbastien Loeb (Citron Total WRT), Mikko Hirvonen (Citron Total WRT) Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford WRT) and Petter Solberg (Ford WRT). Wales Rally GB will also mark the return of British pairing Matthew Wilson and Scott Martin (M-Sport Ford WRT) to the World Rally Championship after a season recovering from injury.  

Last years winner Latvala will be looking to repeat his 2011 victory on the Welsh stages, while eight-time World Rally Champion Sbastien Loeb will be looking to secure title number nine, a record-breaking achievement. Loeb wont be able to wrap it up completely at Wales Rally GB though. Mathematically, Mikko Hirvonen could still beat his team-mate to the 2012 Championship title before the season is out.

Wales Rally GB offers fans a unique experience thanks to strong support from the Welsh Government. Both the opening and closing ceremonies, in Llandudno and Cardiff respectively, are open to all and free of charge. This will allow visitors to get up close and personal to all of the action behind the scenes and meet some of the drivers at scheduled autograph signing sessions. The main Service Park in Cardiff is also free of charge for visitors who want to take a look behind the scenes.

Welsh Government Minister Edwina Hart said: Wales Rally GB is one of our key events and it continues to be a huge draw for visitors from around the world. It is a boost to tourism and the economy and there is always an exciting and lively atmosphere. The event raises the profile of rallying and provides a boost to Wales dynamic automotive industry, one of our key sectors for growth.

The ceremonial start in Llandudno on Thursday, 13th September will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Rally of Great Britain with a collection of rallying greats lining the promenade, joined by a traditional funfair and live band. A celebratory gala dinner will also recognise the achievements of past decades. The teams will be announced onto the start podium from 7pm, before being flagged off onto the promenade.

On Friday, 14th September, the event moves down to a loop of the classic Dyfnant, Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin tests, with a remote service in Newtown before the stages are repeated in the afternoon. Around midday, the town will also see some of the worlds greatest cyclists pass by in The Tour of Britain, including Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and 2011 Sports Personality of the Year, Mark Cavendish. This will be a unique day for mid-Wales as two of the biggest global sporting events take place just miles apart.

Saturday, 15th September takes the rally to the stages of Crychan, Epynt and Halfway. After lunchtime service in Cardiff, the loop is repeated and followed by the first stage ever at the Celtic Manor Resort. Spectators will be able to enjoy superb views from elevated viewing banks, as the field competes alongside the award-winning 2010 Ryder Cup golf course. This milestone stage will be followed by an overnight service in Cardiff that coincides with the return of the most successful group of Welsh Olympians ever.

On the final day, Wales Rally GB visits Port Talbot and Rheola, as well as returning to the Likes Land Rover at Walters Arena stage for the first time since 2009. After service in Cardiff, those stages are repeated in the afternoon. The official closing ceremony of the event will take place in Cardiff Bay after the final stage.

Throughout the Rally, the Welsh landscape will serve as an incredible backdrop. Wales offers some of the most spectacular scenery and competitive rally stages in the World Rally Championship and, it is because of this that Wales Rally GB is considered one of the true favourites for many of the drivers.

Running alongside the WRC event for the third consecutive year is the Wales Rally GB National, which will be more competitive than ever. A number of future British stars of rallying will be making their mark on the tough Wales Rally GB stages and it offers supporters the opportunity to cheer on even more home-grown talent. The event will conclude in Cardiff Bay on Sunday, 16th September.

Chief executive of Wales Rally GB, Andrew Coe, thinks that 2012 will be the best year yet: This year we have a really competitive field taking part. It may not be the biggest, but its certainly one of the strongest. Thanks to the Welsh Government we can offer fans a unique experience in both Llandudno and Cardiff. We feel these two free events make us stand out from the crowd; the chances of entering the F1 paddock without charge are very unlikely. The route for 2012 has some brilliant stages, including the brand new Celtic Manor Resort and return of the Likes Land Rover at Walters Arena stage. Theres so much that makes this 80th anniversary year special and I really cant wait for qualifying on Wednesday, 12th September to begin.

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.