Billed as a blockbuster, this week’s Wales Rally GB 4-7 October really has it all, writes Gary Jones. Tonight there’s a dramatic opener under floodlights, challenging new tests in legendary Welsh forests and a stunning finale with cars racing through the closed streets of Llandudno – the first free-to-attend WRC stage in the UK for more than 20 years. Then there’s the added excitement of … [Read more...]
Route changes for WRGB & relaunch of art competition
The 2018 Wales Rally GB route incorporates the biggest changes since the event moved to North Wales in 2013 with a newer, earlier date and lots of new changes to the special stages from 4-7 October. Thanks to the legislation recently adopted by the Welsh Assembly organisers are able to close the public roads to link special stages together to increase their length. This has also enabled a … [Read more...]
New 50mph limits on M4 & urban-charging for Wales
New full-time 50mph speed limits will be imposed within two months on parts of the M4 in South Wales. The restrictions between Briton Ferry and Port Talbot and around the Brynglas Tunnels at Newport will be joined by similar limits on the A470 near Pontypridd, the A483 at Wrexham and A494 at Deeside. Councils will also get funds to introduce clean air zones charging or banning some vehicles … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Auris GB25 Hybrid
To celebrate their 25th anniversary TMUK has produced the special edition Auris Hybrid GB25 five door hatchback priced at £24,045. Prices for the 39 British built Auris hatchback and estate model derivatives start at £16,655 and rise to £26,905. The engine range consists of 1.33-litre 99hp petrol, a turbo 1.2 116hp petrol, the 1.4 D4-D 90hp turbodiesel, the 1.6 D4-D 112hp … [Read more...]
Wrap a rally car of your own
Wales Rally GB has launched a competition giving students in the region a brilliant opportunity to see their own livery design applied to the GT86. The winning entry will be unveiled and displayed in the event’s Rally Village right at the heart of the four-day spectacle in October. The competition is being jointly coordinated by the rally organisers and the Engineering Education … [Read more...]
Classic rally cars to take on WRC elite
Competitors wanting to pit their skills against the sport’s elite have never had such an exciting, varied and affordable way to enter the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Organisers of Wales Rally GB 26-29 October have announced that nationally-registered cars will be eligible for the main WRC event. Thanks to a new FIA regulation, owners of cars with a national MSA … [Read more...]
Massive Toyota boost for Britain
Toyota will invest £240 Million in its Derby car assembly plant for future model lines. It also has it main engine plant on Deeside and has said it is critical that tariff-free access exists after the UK leaves the EU. It intends to increase UK components sourcing to cut costs and also increase the “home” content for post-Brexit requirements. Toyota build engines and Auris and Avensis … [Read more...]
Wales Rally GB has learned a successful lesson
After a highly successful move in the WRC calendar this year, the 2017 Wales Rally GB will once again be in the autumn half-term, 26-29 October. Again it will be the penultimate fixture of a 13-round FIA World Rally Championship opening in Monte Carlo in January and culminating in Australia during November and holds the promise of a thrilling series with new entrants. A record number of … [Read more...]
WRGB does power of good but last time for VW
Wales Rally GB 2016 was the ‘best yet’ after tens of thousands of fans filled the forests to witness the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship. But it is the last time we will see a Volkswagen in the winner's enclosure after the German manufacturer this week decided to walk away from the WRC at the end of this year and four championships. It was a flat-out festival of family fun … [Read more...]
Dare to be Different experience comes to WRGB
The ‘Dare to be Different’ campaign is delighted to announce a special additional ‘headline’ event which will take place later this month at Wales Rally GB – the UK’s round of the FIA World Rally Championship. This extra date on Wednesday 26 October will be based in the central Rally Village in Deeside, Flintshire – the international event’s busy pits and paddock complex where all the top WRC … [Read more...]