Michal Hrabánek

Pontus Tidemand and co-driver Jonas Andersson won the WRC2 category already in Sweden, Mexico, Argentina and Portugal. After finishing second in Poland and third in Germany, they are eager to fight for the victory again.

Pontus Tidemand / Jonas Andersson, ŠKODA FABIA R5, ŠKODA Motorsport. Rallye Deutschland 2017
Pontus Tidemand

The 21-years-old Ole Christian Veiby and his co-driver Stig Rune Skjaermœn had a fantastic season so far as well. They are still in the title fight in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with MRF ŠKODA Team. Driving a private Printsport entered ŠKODA FABIA R5 they won WRC2 at Rally Poland, finished second in WRC2 in Italy and third in RC2 class at RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España. During Wales Rally GB for the first time, they will be part of the official factory team of ŠKODA Motorsport.

Ole Christian Veiby / Stig Rune Skjærmoen, ŠKODA FABIA R5, Printsport Oy. RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2017
Ole Christian Veiby

At the recent RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España, their first rally with the factory team of ŠKODA Motorsport, Juuso Nordgren already paid back the trust that has been placed in him with a fine performance and a fourth place in the WRC2 category.

Juuso Nordgren / Tapio Suominen, ŠKODA FABIA R5, ŠKODA Motorsport. RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2017
Juuso Nordgren

The first leg of the Wales Rally GB will start on Thursday, 26 October, with a 1,53 kilometres short but spectacular show stage at the Tir Prince trotting track in Towyn. On Friday morning the action really gets going. The longest special stage is the famous Hafren test with more than 35 kilometres of smooth gravel. In total, the crews have to face 21 special stages totalling 304,36 kilometres. Saturday is the longest day with 17 hours on the road including 142 kilometres on seven stages. The winner will reach the podium at the seaside resort of Llandudno around 14h00 on Sunday. The service park is hosted at Deeside close to the Liverpool bay area.

Did you know...

...that the British round of the FIA World Rally Championship was formerly known as Royal Automobile Club Rally (RAC) and founded in 1932 with 341 competitors starting on the first event?

…that in 1960 special stages in the forests of Wales, the Lake District and the notorious Kielder Forest were used for the first time?

…that in 1990 for the first time pre-rally inspection of the special stages – commonly known as “recce” – and pace notes were allowed? Before 1990 all stages had to be driven with rough information only, the co-driver relying on nothing than a detailed road map.

…that in the past the RAC Rally was a tough marathon test? In 1983 for example the rally covered 3,046 kilometres with 58 special stages totalling 844 kilometres. Winner Stig Blomqvist (Audi Quattro) drove for a total time of 8 hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds. Ladislav Křeček/Bořivoj Motl won the A5 class with a factory entered ŠKODA 120 LS finishing 25th overall.

…that the weather can play a significant role with fog and heavy rainfalls, usually turning the stages into a mud bath? In 1993 even heavy snowfalls occurred. Nevertheless, the use of studded tyres was and is not allowed.

…that up to the year 2000 the British round of the FIA World Rally Championship took place in England, Scotland and Wales before it entirely moved to Wales?

Michal Hrabánek

Pontus Tidemand and co-driver Jonas Andersson won the WRC2 category already in Sweden, Mexico, Argentina and Portugal. After finishing second in Poland and third in Germany, they are eager to fight for the victory again.

Pontus Tidemand / Jonas Andersson, ŠKODA FABIA R5, ŠKODA Motorsport. Rallye Deutschland 2017
Pontus Tidemand

The 21-years-old Ole Christian Veiby and his co-driver Stig Rune Skjaermœn had a fantastic season so far as well. They are still in the title fight in the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with MRF ŠKODA Team. Driving a private Printsport entered ŠKODA FABIA R5 they won WRC2 at Rally Poland, finished second in WRC2 in Italy and third in RC2 class at RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España. During Wales Rally GB for the first time, they will be part of the official factory team of ŠKODA Motorsport.

Ole Christian Veiby / Stig Rune Skjærmoen, ŠKODA FABIA R5, Printsport Oy. RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2017
Ole Christian Veiby

At the recent RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España, their first rally with the factory team of ŠKODA Motorsport, Juuso Nordgren already paid back the trust that has been placed in him with a fine performance and a fourth place in the WRC2 category.

Juuso Nordgren / Tapio Suominen, ŠKODA FABIA R5, ŠKODA Motorsport. RallyRACC Catalunya - Costa Daurada 2017
Juuso Nordgren

The first leg of the Wales Rally GB will start on Thursday, 26 October, with a 1,53 kilometres short but spectacular show stage at the Tir Prince trotting track in Towyn. On Friday morning the action really gets going. The longest special stage is the famous Hafren test with more than 35 kilometres of smooth gravel. In total, the crews have to face 21 special stages totalling 304,36 kilometres. Saturday is the longest day with 17 hours on the road including 142 kilometres on seven stages. The winner will reach the podium at the seaside resort of Llandudno around 14h00 on Sunday. The service park is hosted at Deeside close to the Liverpool bay area.

Did you know...

...that the British round of the FIA World Rally Championship was formerly known as Royal Automobile Club Rally (RAC) and founded in 1932 with 341 competitors starting on the first event?

…that in 1960 special stages in the forests of Wales, the Lake District and the notorious Kielder Forest were used for the first time?

…that in 1990 for the first time pre-rally inspection of the special stages – commonly known as “recce” – and pace notes were allowed? Before 1990 all stages had to be driven with rough information only, the co-driver relying on nothing than a detailed road map.

…that in the past the RAC Rally was a tough marathon test? In 1983 for example the rally covered 3,046 kilometres with 58 special stages totalling 844 kilometres. Winner Stig Blomqvist (Audi Quattro) drove for a total time of 8 hours, 50 minutes and 28 seconds. Ladislav Křeček/Bořivoj Motl won the A5 class with a factory entered ŠKODA 120 LS finishing 25th overall.

…that the weather can play a significant role with fog and heavy rainfalls, usually turning the stages into a mud bath? In 1993 even heavy snowfalls occurred. Nevertheless, the use of studded tyres was and is not allowed.

…that up to the year 2000 the British round of the FIA World Rally Championship took place in England, Scotland and Wales before it entirely moved to Wales?