With over 50 International entries already registered, the Rally of Wales, the second round of the Kwik-Fit Pirelli British Rally Championship, looks set to build on the excitement and success of the season opener at the Pirelli International at Gateshead. "It’s tremendous news," commented Championship Manager, Mark Taylor. "The organisers have been working very hard to run a close format rally and I know the teams are looking forward to a return to these fantastic Welsh stages. The entries have yet to close and so I am hopeful that we may break the sixty mark which in ‘International’ British rallying terms would be fantastic.” Headed by Clerk of Course Sue Sanders-Peppitt, the Rally of Wales is bolstered by new members to the team strengthening the already experienced committee. Sue comments, “We have had terrific support from the Gwynedd events commission and we are really looking forward to working with them this year and in the future. The event organising team is very enthusiastic about the event and we hope the marshals will also be pleased with their ‘goodies’ and the marshal’s draw - after all we couldn’t run the event without them.”Centrally based in Dolgellau, Mid Wales, the event will visit some of the best rallying forests in the country. The format will be a common theme in the 2004 BRC so that competitors and teams need the minimum time away from work and home. With a central service area in the middle of the forest complex of stages, the road miles are being kept to the absolute minimum. Mark Taylor added, “I have heard from the committee last Tuesday night that the stages are in their very best condition and so from a drivers point of view, and with over a hundred stage miles of which only one 15 mile stage is used twice, this is one rally not to miss.”“After such an exciting first round, everyone is itching to test their mettle on what has always been one of the most popular areas in which to rally,” confirmed Mark Taylor. “The competitors will be keen to give it their all and ensure the International Rally of Wales gets the welcome backing it deserves – making it one of the highlights this season has to offer.”Entries are still available for both the International and National rallies. Details and regulations can be seen and downloaded from the Rally of Wales website: rallyofwales.org