A new special stage at the Celtic Manor Resort, venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup golf tournament, will test stars from the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia when they contest Wales Rally GB in September.
Britain’s round of the WRC is switching from its traditional November date to a mid-September slot as it prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary.
Once again organisers have devised a route stretching from the north of Wales to the south with a return to the Walters Arena venue for the Qualifying Stage on Wednesday 12 September.
Following the ceremonial start in Llandudno on Thursday 13 September, the event begins the trek south the following day with runs through classic stages such as Dyfnant, Hafren and Myherin based around a remote service in Newtown.
On Saturday 15 September, crews head to the Epynt military training range for the Crychan, Epynt and Halfway tests prior to the Celtic Manor Resort stage and overnight service in the capital Cardiff.
Sunday’s action includes visits to Port Talbot, Rheola and Walters Arena followed by the finishing ceremony in Cardiff Bay.
Event chief executive Andrew Coe said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to take Wales Rally GB to Celtic Manor Resort this year, as well as continue last year’s initiative of delivering a truly pan-Welsh route. We made huge strides forward last year in terms of embracing the whole of Wales with our route and we have tried hard to build on that this year, while also bringing more innovation and fresh-thinking to the event.”
Wales Rally GB counts as round 10 of the 13-event WRC season from 12-16 September.