National Velvet!

Wales Rally GB to host a National event

Wales Rally GB, the final round of this year's World Rally Championship, will this year again play host to a complementary National event. The rally, which takes place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th November 2011, will utilise many of the stages of this year's re-vitalised WRC route.

Covering 76 miles of competitive driving over some of the most famous forest stages in the UK, the event will be based entirely in the Powys market town of Builth Wells - the central service facility for both the National and International events - with the start, overnight halt and finish ceremony all contained within the Royal Welsh Showground. This year's National rally will feature two stages in Dyfi, of 6.38 and 3.66 miles, followed on Friday by 12.97 miles in Gartheiniog and a 13.22 mile test in Dyfnant. After the overnight halt at Builth Wells, competitors will make the trip to Hafren for a 19.97 miler, followed by a short 2.65 mile Sweet Lamb stage, before finishing with 17.32 miles in Myherin.

Wales Rally GB National is open to both historic and contemporary cars and entries will be limited to 70, with the first 30 received being taken on a first come, first-served basis, and the remaining 40 places being selected by the organisers. Successful applicants for the event will be notified by Wednesday 19th October as to whether their entry has been successful. The entry fee for the event will be £675, including VAT and entries open Monday 1st August.

Andrew Coe, chief executive of event organiser, International Motor Sports Limited, is delighted that the National event will again form part of the total Wales Rally GB spectacle. He commented: "We are thrilled to be able to offer an expanded National route and entry this year. Our aim for 2011 was to open up the event to as many spectators and competitors as possible. That's why we're taking the rally to forests that we have not visited for many years. We know that the National event was extremely well received last year - by both spectators and competitors - and we're hoping to build on that for 2011."

Last year's winner, Nigel Griffiths, added: "It's great news that the National event is back for 2011 and that it will be visiting Dyfi, Gartheiniog and Dyfnant, as well as Hafren, Sweet Lamb and Myherin. With an expanded entry list, we know we'll have our work cut out to win it again. But we'll try our hardest!"

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