Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (26-29 October), the penultimate round of the FIA World Rally Championship, could be a title-decider after one of the closest-fought seasons in which no fewer than six drivers from all four competing manufacturers have claimed wins. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have their first chance to take an impressive fifth world title, while their M-Sport team looks set to clinch what would be an emotional and historic victory in the Manufacturers’ Championship on home soil.

The event was founded in 1932 and it was not until 1960 that the introduction of forest roads transformed the rally into what it is today. Originally the route toured England, Scotland and Wales but, since 2000, it has largely been based in Wales. It is a classic on the calendar with world-renown forestry stages. Britain’s unpredictable autumn weather also all-but guarantees wet, slippery and muddy conditions.

After two no-scores in Germany and Spain, Thierry Neuville - previously Ogier’s nearest rival - has gone from leading the Championship on equal points after nine of the 13 rounds to third position, 38 points adrift of the Frenchman and one point behind second-placed Ott Tänak. Both Tänak and Neuville mathematically have everything still to fight for, but victory for Ogier or a 31-point lead would seal the title in Wales. In the Manufacturers’ Championship, M-Sport needs to get one of its registered cars to the finish to score four points and claim a momentous victory for the British based outfit.

An impressive entry of 79 cars for the international event is the biggest field since the rally moved to north Wales in 2013, so competition will be fierce in all the categories, not least the FIA WRC 2 Championship where 23 crews will be fighting for honours.

ROUTE GRAPHICS

THE 2017 ROUTE

The route for this year’s event in mid and north Wales will be largely familiar but kicks off with an all-new stage at Tir Prince Raceway on Thursday evening. Friday presents the classic stages of Myherin, Sweet Lamb and Hafren, all three of which will be driven twice with nothing more than fresh tyres splitting the loops. Saturday is a marathon day with a double loop of stages in Dyfi and Gartheiniog, and a quick dash around Cholmondeley Castle before two night stages - also run earlier in the day - round off the day’s 142.38 kilometres of action. Five stages await on Sunday, including a return to the Gwydyr stage for the first time since 2013, before the final live Power Stage at Brenig.  In total, three stages will be broadcast live; SS12, SS18 and SS21.

WHAT WE SAID…

“This event has always been one of the most challenging on the calendar, a real classic of the discipline,” commented Jarmo Mahonen, FIA Rally Director. “The conditions are ever-changing because of the weather and teams need to be prepared for everything at this time of year. It’s a tricky rally for a possible title-decider.”

RALLY DATA

MEDIA ACCREDITATION

The Accreditation Centre is located at Deeside Service Park, Zone 3, Deeside Industrial Park, CH5 2TW.  The opening hours are:

WALES RALLY GB TIMETABLE AND MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES ORGANISED BY THE FIA

FIA PRESS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

MANUFACTURER ENTRIES, WALES RALLY GB

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES 

Autograph Signing Session: On Friday and Saturday selected crews will be available for a 15 minute autograph session. This will take place in the service park during the end of day service at the teams’ service areas. 

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS

The provisional classifications for all the WRC Championships can be found on the following link:

http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2017/standings

STAGE CHART

Shortly after the finish of the event, a downloadable stage chart showing the progressive positions of the leading crews during the rally will be available. This is copyright free for editorial purposes and available at the following link:

http://www.fia.com/events/world-rally-championship/season-2017/stage-chart-23