Police asked to speak to Wales Rally GB organisers over reports of race cars driving dangerously on roads
Police have been asked to speak to organisers of an international rally event held on the north Shropshire border after reports of race cars driving dangerously on the roads.
The Wales Rally GB took place in November, with 78 cars competing in the international rally and 88 crews contesting the national event.
On the Friday evening drivers on the A483 between Welshpool and Chirk found themselves in illustrious company as the cars head up the trunk road to the RallyFest stage at Chirk Castle.
But police said they have now received complaints about the behaviour of the rally drivers on the roads.
PC Kate Le'Clere, who covers Weston Rhyn, said she was aware that there had been issues with reports of dangerous driving by the competition cars.
"I was told of an apparent incident during the rally when a rally car overtook on the Chirk Bank canal bridge - which is a dangerous blind bend.
"If I get the opportunity to speak with event organisers this year, I will certainly mention it," she said.
Drivers also complained about the way the rally cars were driven on the A483 as they overtook queues of traffic.
Margaret Hall, from Bronygarth Road, Weston Rhyn, said: "I was in a rush hour queue and the rally cars were speeding up the outside to get past us. We were moving at 50mph in places and they were zooming past us. It was quite unnerving at times and they were going far too fast.
"I know they're supposed to be some of the best drivers in the world, but that doesn't mean they can drive like idiots on the road. They should still stick to speed limits and be careful in traffic."
David Evans, Autosport and Motorsport News rallies editor, said all drivers should be well aware that they had to comply with traffic laws.
He said: "Out of service, the cars are driven along liaison sections – between service and the competitive stages – in accordance with each individual country's traffic laws. So, where the speed limit's 30mph in Newtown for you and I, it's exactly the same for them. If they break the law on the road, they're treated just like you and I.
The line-up of drivers at the event included the world's top stars including 2015 World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier, former F1 star Robert Kubica and Welsh driver Elfyn Evans.
