Big National event set for 2011

 

Newtown can look forward to a major National event in 2011 when it hosts a round of the British Historic Rally Championship.

 

Over 120 cars and hundreds of support personnel will join thousands of spectators expected to provide the town and its surrounding area with a £250k economic shot in the arm.

 

“It is a big event and one that we will be proud to host in Newtown,” said Chris Tomley, clerk of the course for the Rally Marketing Mid-Wales Historic Stages.

 

“These events are becoming increasingly popular and it is welcome recognition for the Mid Wales Rally scene that a round of the championship will be returning to the area.”

 

Scheduled for Sunday, March 6, a full weekend of events are planned to bring the town alive with the event expected to leave Broad Street at 8.01am. The event will consist of up to 80 classic cars and an expected 40 modern rally cars which will travel from across the United Kingdom and Irish Republic.

 

The event will incorporate a number of categories and cups which the action expected to take place on classic gravel stages in the forests of Hafren, Tarenig Myherin and Sweet Lamb.

 

It has got the nod on the British Championship calendar after being named the Best Organised Event in the Brian Dennis Motorsport Welsh Historic Rally Championship and Lico Welsh Clubman’s Forest Rally Championship.

 

Over 200 marshals will be working on duty and organizers hope the entire community will show its support.

 

“The idea is to have motor show/kids sideshows in High Street from 8am-4pm on the day with commentary and interviews as cars are leaving,” said Mr Tomley. “We are having the event filmed for TV and hope to have coverage on the BBC and S4C.”

 

The event, organised by Newtown & District Automobile Club Ltd, will finish with prize giving at Theatr Hafren.

 

The club meets on the first Thursday of each month at Newtown Football Club.  New members are welcome! For more information visit www.newtown-mc.co.uk and www.MidWalesStages.co.uk 

-          Become a marshal by contacting the Club Chief Marshal - Mike Davies - on 01686 624 204 or 07877 990 668