Newtown gears up for a £250k boost

Newtown is set for a timely economic boost this weekend when it hosts the Rally Marketing Mid Wales Historic Stages Rally on Sunday.

 

Large numbers of competitors, spectators and media are already in the area in preparation for the big event which gets underway from the centre of Newtown at 8am, before heading off into some of Wales’s most breathtaking countryside.

 

And the money spent by those visitors could ring up a £250,000-windfall for local businesses.

 

“These figures are based on economic impact studies compiled by similar rallies held in other parts of the UK,” said clerk of the course Chris Tomley.

 

Both Broad Street and High Street will be closed for the expected 60 competing cars which will contest the historic and the regular rally car categories, starting at 8am.

 

Television celebrity Howard Davies will provide a live commentary at the start and there will be trade stands and displays in the town centre until 4pm to help create a family day out. The action finishes with presentations at Theatr Hafren at 4.30pm. Programmes will be available at £2 at Theatr Hafren on Saturday and Broad Street and Sweet Lamb on Sunday.

 

Meanwhile, Newtown man Dougie Bancroft has agreed with organisers Newtown & District Automobile Club that Self Help Africa will benefit from the rally.

 

All competing cars will display stickers promoting the charity which has gone down well with Abermule-based former World Co-Driving Champion Phil Mills (right).

 

He said: “It’s great to be involved in a charity that works in Africa. I have spent a lot of time out there doing World Championship Rallies and can see the need for such a worthwhile charity.”

 

 

The 2011 Rally Marketing Mid Wales Historic Stages is a round of the following championships:

-          The Dunlop / WONAGO MSA British Historic Rally Championship, incorporating the HRCR Historic Cup.

-          The Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship.

-          The ANWCC Historic Stage Rally Championship