Wales Rally GB, 1. – 3. December 2006

Next weekend we head to the south of Wales, and the 2006 season’s grand finale. Wales is the homefield of codriver Phil Mills, and is one of the toughest events this year. The servicepark is situated near Swansea, while capitol of Wales, Cardiff, is hosting the seremonial start/finish and a superspecial at Millenium Stadium on Saturday night. In 2003 Petter and Phil won the championship with their victory in Wales, and they are listed with 4 wins on this rally. However, last years win doesn’t feel like a victory, after being proclaimed as winners after the tragic death of Michael Park.

This year the rally is moved back to december and the final event of the calendar, after being held in September for two years. The winter date will increase the chances of some really tough welsh weather; rain, fog, ice and even snow. Muddy stages will be a big challenge for the drivers.

Some of the stages are changed compared to last year. Leg 3 stages will be run the opposite way, and the route through Margham Park is changed, in respect of codriver Michael Parks memory.

The teams are already settled in Swansea, and they start recce tomorrow morning. The seremonial start will take place outside Millenium Stadium in Cardiff Thursday night, and the drivers continue with 6 stages on Friday, 7 stages on Saturday and 4 stages on Sunday. They will run 356km special stages and 850km with roadsection through out the weekend.