The countdown is on for the arrival of the Wales Rally GB in Newtown and Llanidloes.
The international championship will be in Newtown on Saturday, 5 October with the regroup and tyre change in the town.
The rally cars will also be parading through the town centre before heading off to the local forests, including Sweet Lamb and Myherin.
Refuelling will also take place in Llanidloes.
Competitors will be in Newtown around 12noon on the day.
Organisers of the rally, which includes famous forestry stages in Mid Wales, want spectators to make a positive contribution both to local communities and to the spectacular countryside in which the adventurous sport is staged.
With record advance ticket sales, the initiative takes on added importance and is endorsed by all the world’s best drivers contesting the hugely popular event.
The campaign features five clear messages: #RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT; #RESPECT THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES; #RESPECT THE MARSHALS; #RESPECT THE COMPETITORS and #RESPECT YOUR SAFETY.
All five messages are stated boldly on the biodegradable polythene bag wrapping the official event programme which is included in the price of admission and handed out to ticket holders on arrival at pre-prepared forest car parks.
These messages will also be promoted heavily on the rally’s busy social media platforms and website both before and during what’s all set to be a rousing four day rally – and a potential title decider.
“We want everyone to have a memorable experience for all the right reasons so it’s vital that visitors not only respect the environment and local life in the villages and communities along the route but also respect their own safety,” said Iain Campbell, Wales Rally GB’s well regarded clerk of the course.
“It’s imperative that they listen to the advice and thus don’t endanger themselves or, indeed, the well-being of the superstar drivers they’ve come to support.
“Should people disregard the clear instructions and selfishly choose to spectate in areas deemed to be dangerous, the organisers will not hesitate to cancel stages. That’s a decision which will deprive thousands of others all respecting the advice given of seeing the once-a-year action they’ve probably spent months planning to attend.
“It’s neither fair on them, nor on the competitors who are pushing their competition cars right to their limits, if people stand in non-designated areas. Nor is it respectful to disregard instructions from the thousands of unpaid volunteers who give up their time to make this incredible rally possible.”
Teams of volunteers also return to the forests shortly after the rally has departed to ensure the countryside is left in pristine condition for others to enjoy for the remaining 51 weeks of the year.
To make their task less onerous, spectators are implored to use the large number of recycling bags and rubbish bins provided specially for the event or, better still, to take their litter away with them. This applies even more to those camping overnight in designated car parks, whose longer stay often produces more waste.
Mr Campbell has just spent a week driving through all 193 miles of competitive stages checking on the condition of the gravel tracks and reconfirming the accessible areas for safe spectating.
“The stages are in great conditions and the Welsh forests looked absolutely stunning… and it’s important for everyone that they remain so,” he added.
“Close to 90 per cent of the rally is staged on land managed by Natural Resources Wales and, while we currently enjoy a very strong relationship with those at NRW, it’s vitally important for the future of the sport at all levels that we make a positive contribution to their efforts to nurture this incredible environment. In a nutshell, that means us leaving the forests in an even better condition than we find them.”
To assist spectators to respect the forests, car park operators will be handing out black refuse bags to all on arrival and large skips are also provided to aid disposal.
For those attending Wales Rally GB and yet to buy their tickets, a wide selection of options for all 22 competitive special stages are still on sale. Adult tickets start from just £15 and accompanied children aged 15 and under are offered free admission.
Tickets will be available on the gate, but significant savings are available for all those purchasing online now. Full details can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com website.