Annual rally to return to Mid Wales on Friday

The Dayinsure Wales Rally will start to roll into Newtown from midday on and hundreds of people are expected to line the streets to welcome the drivers.

Broad Street will be closed from 8am until around 5pm to give the crews time to rest, make any mechanical changes to their cars and show their supercars off to the public.

Councillor Joy Jones, who represents the town on Powys County Council, hopes residents will once again show their support for the major event.

"We are so lucky to have this event in our town as it brings a huge boost to the local economy," she said. "It is followed by local enthusiasts and those who come from far away to enjoy this event.

"It takes months of planning and ironing out all the problems before the day, and there is lots of hard work that goes into it. The organisers have now crossed the t's and dotted the i's to make sure it runs as smoothly as possible."

The rally covers around a thousand miles, 200 of which are on competitive, timed stages. The rest of the distance is covered on public roads, at legal speeds and with helmets removed.

"It does disrupt the town for a few hours and I know it irritates some people but there are benefits," Councillor Jones said. "It keeps Newtown on the map and it would be a really sad day if Newtown stopped welcoming events here.

"If we stop encouraging events to use Newtown I know there are many other towns in Wales who will be only to happy to welcome them to their town."

She also paid thanks to the leader of Powys County Council, Councillor Rosemarie Harris and chief executive Jeremy Patterson who met with organisers to plan the local stage, and to Newtown Town Council who are putting on the hospitality.

"It's great to see everyone working together," she added. "Lets hope the weather is kind and it all goes to plan. It should be another exciting day in Newtown."

After Thursday evening’s spectacular curtain-raiser at the Tir Prince Raceway in Conwy County, this year’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB starts in earnest on Friday morning with classic speed tests set in the the legendary forests of Mid Wales. The action begins with a 13-mile blast through the Myherin Forest to the east of Aberystwyth and the route then takes competitors to the renowned Sweet Lamb rally complex – designed to provide fans with lots of dramatic jumps and water splashes.

Next up is a 20-mile section through the neighbouring Hafren Forest. All three stages are then repeated in the early afternoon following a mid-day break in the centre of Newtown.