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Facelift for Rally GB

A ground-breaking new-look for Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (4 - 7 october) mixes classic fan-favourite venues with fresh and innovative locations.

Latest legislation allowing organisers to close public roads for competition for the first time means forest tracks can be linked by public highway to create longer and tougher sections.

It also brings a mouth-watering finale to the four-day event with a speed test around the famous Great Orme headland (above) which culminates in Llandudno's streets.

After Thursday night's floodlit curtain-raiser at Tir Prince Raceway, Friday's schedule switches to north Wales for eight tests. It includes a double pass through Brenig and Penmachno, which both contain asphalt lanes to link forest roads.

New for this year is the short dirt road Slate Mountain special stage, which competitors tackle twice in quick succession before a lunchtime return to the Deeside service park to split the double forest loop.

Super Saturday is the longest leg of the rally and features keynote stages in mid-Wales such as Myherin, Hafren, Dyfi, Gartheiniog and Dyfnant. A double loop is split by a regroup and tyre changing zone in Newtown.

The action returns north on Sunday for two tough forest test in the Snowdonia mountains - the all-new Elsi and Gwydir, which has been doubled in length for 2018. The first morning pass through Gwydir forms the Power Stage, with bonus points to the fastest five drivers.

It also includes the iconic Great Orme, a ribbon of asphalt that clings to the rock face before a sprint through the town centre streets and a spectacular jump leading to the beachside finish on Llandudno Promenade.

The 23 stages offer 319.34km of competition and local hero and 2017 winner Elfyn Evans is looking forward to Sunday's climax.

"The finale through the streets of Llandudno will be very, very spectacular. There was an incredible atmosphere in town for the ceremonial finish last year and, now with the last stage finishing on the Promenade, it will just add to the incredible excitement," he said.

Zdroj: wrc.com