Wales Rally GB preparations take shape
More than eight acres next to the Toyota Engine Plant in Deeside have been converted into the service yard for 150 motor sports teams ahead of the final round of this year's FIA World Rally Championship in November.
The service yard was created with 13,000 tons of locally sourced crushed stone imported from Halkyn. The facility cost £250,000 and was funded by event organiser International Motor Sports and the Welsh Government.
The Wales Rally GB moved from Cardiff this year and will take place in North Wales between 14 and 17 November.
A further five acres at Deeside will be rolled and prepared to provide on-site car parking for up to 1,500 official, team and spectator vehicles while the neighbouring Toyota facility will house both the event's headquarters and media facilities.
"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 organiser International Motor Sports.
"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 the World Rally Championship. It's a not-to-be missed opportunity and another important element to the revitalisation of Wales Rally GB."
As well as providing the competing teams with space 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 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 with 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", the event organisers said.
