Autosportfoto

Deeside service park has the X-factor

Having moved from Cardiff, this year's Wales Rally GB (14-17 November) will be based at a brand new, bespoke Service Park in north Wales.

Since being announced in the spring, the specially prepared site - located alongside the Toyota Engine Plant in Deeside - has seen a major £250,000 investment jointly funded by event organiser International Motor Sports and the Welsh Government.

The project has involved significant geotechnical surveys and ecological impact studies and resulted in the creation of more than eight acres (c34,000sqm) of hardcore surface in readiness for the arrival of 150 rally teams competing in the final round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship.

To provide solid parking for all the service vehicles, hospitality units and other heavyweight temporary structures 13,000 tons of locally sourced crushed stone has been imported from near-by Halkyn in north Wales. The stone has been laid on a porous membrane to add further reinforcement to the substructure.

A further five acres will be rolled and prepared to provide on-site car parking for up to 1500 official, team and spectator vehicles while the neighbouring Toyota facility will house both the event's busy Headquarters and Media facilities.

As well as providing the competing teams with the required space and conditions for them to service their high-tech cars, feed personnel and entertain guests, the FREE to enter Deeside facility will boast a host of added attractions and initiatives to entertain and enthral visitors of all ages.

Maximising the benefits of hosting such a prestigious international event in north Wales, a dedicated Industry Awareness experience for local schools is being built within the Service Park destination together with a ‘fun zone' dome crammed with engaging amusements. Other attractions aimed at a wider family audience include fireworks, a big screen plus live music from X-Factor star Joseph Whelan and top ten chart band Republica whose signature single ‘Ready to Go' seems tailor made for such a racy event.

"We have invested considerable funds into this fabulous new service park in Deeside and we want to encourage as many people as possible to come and see the cars, experience the event and have a great time," said Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of event organisers International Motor Sports Ltd. "Deeside is not only perfectly placed for some of the legendary Welsh forest stages and the two new family-friendly RallyFest stages at Chirk Castle and Kinmel Park, but also is close to major roads such as the M56 and A55 thus providing those living in places like Liverpool and Manchester a rare chance to experience the excitement of World Rally Championship. It's a not-to-be missed opportunity and another important element to the revitalisation of Wales Rally GB."