The 2006 Cardiff Millennium Stadium special stage will be later this year, with the first competition car expected at 17.01hrs, on Saturday 2nd December, giving more people, particularly families, the chance to catch the action in the centre of Cardiff. This year’s spectacle will be enhanced by a world-class programme of motor entertainment, the provision of additional catering and retail outlets, as well as large screens showing both the action and stage times.
“This event was spectacular last year and we’re looking to raise the bar again this year and put on a fantastic show,” said Paul Sergeant Millennium Stadium, chief executive. “We expected a crowd of about 15,000 last year and exceeded that number by some 7,000 spectators and this year we are expecting an even bigger crowd.
“The Rally has a huge following and I think having the special stage at the Millennium Stadium just adds to the excitement surrounding the event. It’s the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family along, to experience the atmosphere the rally and the stadium combined creates.”
The route for Wales Rally GB has a new look to it, with the traditional opening stages of Trawscoed and Brechfa moving to Sunday and the Vale of Neath tests at Resolfen and Rheola, including the Walters Arena facility, running on the Friday. In addition, all Forestry Commission and Ministry of Defence stages will be run twice each day, providing great value for spectators, as well as reducing the amount of travelling required to watch cars more than once. 2006 also sees Wales Rally GB hosting not only the final round of the World Rally Championship and Junior World Rally Championship, but also the conclusion of the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship, 2006.
Tickets for the rally go on sale to the public on Friday, 2nd June and are available either through the website, at www.walesrallygb.co.uk or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 060 1764.
Andrew Coe, Chief Executive of Wales Rally GB, commented: “We are all tremendously excited by the package that we are able to offer rally fans this year and it’s great to be returning to the Millennium Stadium, which served us so well in 2005. For the event to be returning to its traditional winter date, as well as being the climax of the World Rally Championship, as well as the final round of the British Rally Championship, just adds to the anticipation. For any fan of rallying, Wales Rally GB is the not-to-be-missed event in 2006.”
