STAGE DESCRIPTIONS
START / FINISH
The Ceremonial Start and Finish take place outside the Law Courts in the centre of Cardiff, adjacent to Cardiff City Hall – with Winter Wonderland nearby, it should be a great occasion and a great atmosphere.
SERVICE PARK, SA1 SWANSEA WATERFRONT
As in 2007, the Service Park will be located at the SA1 Waterfront in Swansea. The focal point for teams’ activity on event, it is also the location of Parc Ferme for the duration of the Rally. The cars return to the Service Park eight times over the event which will give spectators the opportunity to see how teams change gearboxes, wheels and tyres in a frenzy of activity.
There will also be trade stands selling merchandise and memorabilia, catering stands, a giant TV screen and a stage featuring live driver interviews and rally footage.
Information on opening times and features and attractions can be found by clicking on the Service Park link in the right hand navigation menu.
SHAKEDOWN
This is the first chance to see the rally cars and drivers in action. It’s a good representative stage to give the cars a final run before the action starts.
Shakedown will take place during the morning of Thursday 4th December between 8am and 1.30pm. The location of Shakedown is Penllergaer Forest, Swansea, as in 2007. A park and ride service to Shakedown will operate from Swansea Vale which is a dedicated park and ride area situated close to junction 45 of the M4. The postcode for Swansea Vale is SA7 0AJ. Coaches will make a frequent journeys to and from Shakedown offering a non-stop service as and when required.
HAFREN
After a seven year absence Wales Rally GB returns to the renowned Hafren Forest with a stage that uses the classic smooth roads of this Mid Wales forest. The stage route is little changed from that used in the past and is characterised by very long corners and at its highest point passes very close to the source of the River Severn. This stage as well as Sweet lamb and Myherin are always popular with rally fans travelling from the Midlands or the North.
SWEET LAMB
Straight after Hafren the spectator section through Sweet Lamb has been split into a separate stage. This short stage offers extensive viewing from the hillsides around the Sweet Lamb Bowl where the cars are visible for over 1 mile as they traverse a deep watersplash, jumps and hairpin bends before crossing the River Wye by a ford.
MYHERIN
This is the second major forest area that makes a return to this year’s route. Situated to the south of the A44 this forest has been the scene of a large wind farm development in recent years and the stage route is considerably different to that used in previous years. The roads vary from narrow forestry tracks to wide roads over the open moorland used by the lorries to bring the large wind turbines to the site. The stage also includes a ford where the water level can change rapidly if it is raining in the hills.
WALTERS ARENA
This stage is a short sprint around the spectator area at Walters Arena where the cars can be viewed for over a minute as they tackle jumps and a variety of difficult corners – safe and spectacular viewing. The cars tackle this stage twice in quick sucession.
RESOLFEN
Using wide forest roads high up on the Rhigos Mountain this stage includes long fast stretches broken up with tight junctions. There are excellent views of the cars over long stretches of the stage in areas of the forest where all the trees have been felled.
HALFWAY
Located on the Epynt Military Ranges this stage is run in the reverse direction to recent years and has two distinct sections. The first part of the stage is very wide and fast over open moorland on the Army gravel roads with jumps and corners on crests to catch the unwary. The second part is through classic forest roads with long corners.
CRYCHAN
The dense network of roads in this forest means the stage is very twisty in places, passing through a large number of junctions. There are a lot of different viewing areas located in easy reach of the car parks which are located on the north side of the forest. Like Halfway this stage is being run in the reverse direction to that used in recent years.
THE CARDIFF STAGE AT THE MILLENNIUM STADIUM
This short stage takes place within the Millennium Stadium; the roof will be closed so it shares with Rally Japan’s new spectator stage the distinction of being an indoor special stage in the WRC. The cars enter the arena at speed and complete a figure of eight course with a perfect view from wherever you sit. Prior to the first WRC car, there will be a chance to see an action-packed show with entertainment to suit the whole family.
Timetable
4.00pm - Stadium doors open
5.00pm - Entertainment
6.00pm - First WRC car
If you are planning to buy or collect tickets for the Cardiff Stage at the Millennium Stadium during the afternoon of Saturday 6th December, you are strongly advised to leave plenty of time to do so.
Please be aware that this event contains loud noise, lighting and various special effects. All participants in this entertainment and rallying are highly trained and their activities should not be copied under any circumstances
RHEOLA
This stage requires lots of concentration from the drivers as they climb high above the Neath Valley with precipitous drops. At the northern end of the stage is Walters Arena (used on Day 1 of the rally as well) where a huge spectator viewing area allows views of the cars for over a minute as they tackle jumps and a variety of difficult corners - safe and spectacular viewing.
PORT TALBOT
The route through Margam Forest is reversed from last year and uses a mixture of fast wide roads and narrow tracks winding up and down the valleys. The section through Margam Park is again NOT being used.
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