Mid Wales features prominently in 2024 Welsh Rally Championship calendar
Many of the UK’s most famous, challenging and popular forestry stages in Mid Wales will once again come together to form the 2024 Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.
Next year will be the 13 consecutive year of title sponsorship from Pirelli, which has supported the series every year since 2012.
The Welsh Association of Motor Clubs organised series will contain seven rounds, with five of the best scores to count. All events will be one day, with a maximum of 45 stage miles.
Next year’s series will begin with the Get Jerky Rally North Wales on Saturday, March 16. Organised by Wolverhampton & South Staffs Car Club, this year’s event featured a fantastic start and finish ceremony in the centre of Welshpool, with stages in Dyfnant and Dyfi forest complex.
Round two will be the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages on Saturday, April 13. Organised by Midland Manor Motor Club, the event will feature stages in Myherin, Sarnau, Sweet Lamb and Hafren forests and be based at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd.
Next up will be a visit to Bala for the Plains Rally on Saturday, May 18. Organised by Knutsford & District Motor Club, the event features stages in the Aberhirnant, Llangower and Alwen forests.
The Nicky Grist Stages will host round four on Saturday, July 13. Organised by Quinton Motor Club, the event is based in the centre of Builth Wells with stages in Llyn Login, Crychan, Halfway and Monument, situated in and around the nearby Epynt military range.
Round five will be the Phil Price Memorial Woodpecker Stages. Organised by Sixty and Worcestershire Motor Club, this year’s event had an exciting new format with stages in Cwmysgawen, Ceri and Haye Park forests and next year the event will take place on Saturday, September 7.
The sixth and penultimate round will be the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally on October 26, based in Llandudno and the final round will be the Wyedean Rally on Saturday, November 16.
“Organisers are taking rallying to the people, with more town centre starts and ceremonial finishes planned,” said championship secretary Dave Evison. “Whilst some events have moved their rally base in recent years, others are looking to do so with the aim to bring more stages on board, all of which is proving very popular with contenders.
“2024 will no doubt bring plenty of challenges and also plenty to celebrate. We hope our many loyal competitors will come and join us again for the ride and, along with, we hope, many newcomers, they will enjoy competing on some world class stages Wales has to offer.”
Further details on the Motorsport UK Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship can be found online at: wnrc.wamc.org.uk.
Image caption: Gethin Price and Matthew Baddeley competing in this year’s championship in their Nissan Micra.
Picture by Paul Mitchell Photography.