Entries opened this week for the 2016 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB 27-30 October, the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship.
Another star-studded entry is guaranteed with teams from the UK and around the globe eager to dispute one of the most famous and exciting rallies on the WRC calendar.
The 2016 title chase has already produced six different winners with drivers representing Citroen, Hyundai and VW all tasting victory. As this year’s Wales Rally GB competitive route is the longest since the event moved north, success will be all the sweeter and more hard-fought.
Following a final Shakedown test and ceremonial start in Llandudno on thursday, crews will then tackle 22 timed sections held over three challenging days in the legendary Welsh forests with a free to view service area at Deeside and finish back in Llandudno on the Sunday.
This year’s route also visits England for the first time since 1999 with Saturday’s RallyFest relocating to Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, as well as a non-competitive time control on Friday evening in the centre of historic Chester.
It all adds up to one of the World Championship’s most respected rounds and, to encourage local teams to experience life at the top level, the organisers are offering a significantly discounted entry fee for private British entrants.
This year’s regulations allow drivers holding both an MSA competition licence and a UK passport to benefit from a discounted entry fee of £1995 (inc VAT) instead of £3000, providing that they fulfill the private entry criteria.
International entries opened yesterday and close on Tuesday 27 September and are capped at 75. Entries for the WRGB National Rally open one week later at 10am on Wednesday 31 August and there will be places for at least 85 cars.
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure said, “This Year’s Wales Rally GB promises to be another spectacular event and is yet another example of the amazing adventures which can be had here in Wales during our designated Year of Adventure.
“Wales has some of the finest rally stages anywhere in the world and the Wales Rally GB is a showcase for the spectacular scenery and landscapes of north Wales. The Welsh Government’s support for the Rally also shows our continued commitment to the event, which has significant links with the automotive sector in Wales.”
Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB added, “Dayinsure Wales Rally GB is the showpiece event for the sport in the UK and we look forward to welcoming all the world’s top drivers to Wales in October.
“The long-running event has a renowned reputation as one of the toughest on the calendar and, while this year’s edition is a couple of weeks earlier than normal, the battle for glory will be no less testing.
“It is important for the development of the sport in this country that we encourage as many British crews as possible to contest the high-profile International rally. British drivers benefit from a significant reduction in the entry fee and we hope they will take advantage of the opportunity to compete against the WRC regulars on the full event.”
Further information can be found online via the ‘Competitors’ navigation on the official www.walesrallygb.com website.
