Preview: Wales Rally GB.

The 73rd Wales Rally GB takes place this coming weekend - the twelfth round out of sixteen in the 2005 FIA World Rally Championship.

Wales will also play host to the sixth round in the 2005 FIA Production WRC.

The event comprises 354.22 competitive kilometres and 17 stages - two less than 2004. It also sees the FIA World Rally Championship return to gravel, after last month's asphalt event in Germany.

Special notes:

This classic rally is run through the forests of south Wales, with Rally HQ based in the cosmopolitan Welsh capital, Cardiff, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary as the principal town of Wales, and its centenary year as a city.

The service park is located some 70km to the west of Cardiff, at Felindre near Swansea.

The event, often billed as one of the greatest motorsport challenges in the world, is famed for its punishing forest stages and changeable weather.

For the second consecutive year Rally GB will be held in September with crews expecting anything from warm sunshine and blue skies to lashing rain and fog. Such unpredictable conditions can really affect the road surfaces.

FIA World Rally Championship news:

Sebastien Loeb can mathematically sew up the Drivers' championship this weekend...

- if he collects at least 8 points;
- if Marcus Gronholm fails to score;
- and if Petter Solberg doesn't win.

Loeb leads the Gronholm by 32 points with just five rounds to go including the Rally GB.

In the Constructors' championship, Citroen lead Peugeot by just 6 points following their dominant 1-2 finish in Germany.

News from the Manufacturers' teams:

Citroen Total:

[Sebastien Loeb, car #1 and Francois Duval, car #2]

Sebastien Loeb has confirmed that he will be gunning for victory this weekend, after finishing runner-up in 2003 and 2004. The Frenchman, who has won eight rallies this year, has dominated the season and although he likes driving in Wales in the wet, he believes that dry conditions could suit Michelin and the Xsara WRC more.

"Will I be out for revenge?" he pondered, "Yes and no! It's true that victory has slipped through my fingers twice now, but both times the end result was positive for Citroen. But this time I do really want to win. As far as the weather goes, I enjoy it when the conditions are slippery. That's great fun. But previous rallies have shown that our Michelin tyres make an even bigger difference when the going is hot and when the stages become more abrasive second time through. So I would like the weather to be dry."

Team boss, Guy Frequelin is also keen to go for the win, but he also wants Loeb and Francois Duval to bear in mind the battle for the constructors' championship, which is delicately balanced, with Peugeot just six points behind.

"In 2003 [on the Rally GB], we were focused on securing the Manufacturers' title, while Seb was pipped at the post in 2004," reflected Frequelin. "After coming second twice in a row, all we can wish for is that we are able to succeed at last in adding this event to the team's record. So, yes, we really want to win Wales Rally GB. Given how the car has progressed on the loose and given the strength of Michelin's tyres, we believe we have the potential to fight at the sharp end and challenge for victory again.

"At the same time though, we also know that the way the event unfolds could depend in part on the suitability of our drivers' individual tyre quotas for the weather conditions which can be very unsettled in Wales at this time of year. Finally, we don't intend to lose sight of the fact either that our priority is to score as many points as possible."

Ford Motor Company:

[Toni Gardemeister, car #3 and Roman Kresta, car #4.]

Toni Gardemeister wants to make up 'lost ground' in Wales, after he notched up his first - and only non-points finish of the season on the Rallye Deutschland last month.

"My target is to recover some lost ground after not scoring on the last round in Germany," he confirmed. "Ford's hold on third place is quite strong but things can change quickly and we would like to strengthen that position. Second place to fifth in the drivers' championship is close and a good result in Britain is necessary to remain involved in that battle.

"I have plenty of experience of this rally. In 1996 it was my second world rally and I have more experience here than anywhere else apart from my home event in Finland. I also drove in the British Championship in 1999 so my understanding of the British forests is good. Last year's event was wet and muddy but if it remains dry this year then it will be extremely fast. I think some people could be in for quite a surprise in those conditions."

Number two driver, Roman Kresta meanwhile believes that the weather could be biggest problem over the three-days.

"The weather is probably the most important aspect of the rally," he added. "If it's wet, muddy and foggy then conditions can be really difficult. If it stays dry then it's obviously much easier and it could be extremely fast because the road surface is hard. The stages are not technical but some parts are quite narrow, and the speeds are so high that it's important to be careful.

"I've not been able to test in Britain so it will be important to make full use of the shakedown to finalise the set-up of the Focus. I'll begin with the set-up the team used for last year's rally and see how that feels."

555 Subaru World Rally Team:

[Petter Solberg, car #5 and Chris Atkinson, car #6.]

Subaru will enter a three-car team on the Wales Rally GB - like they did in Germany. The three Impreza WRC2005's will be driven by Petter Solberg, Chris Atkinson and Stephane Sarrazin. Sarrazin will not be nominated to score manufacturers' points, as he has only limited experience on gravel - although both he and Atkinson have yet to contest the event.

Subaru have won the Rally GB the last three years on the trot, however despite that team boss, David Lapworth reckons it will be a tough to repeat it.

"We've done very well on the event in the past - winning eight of the last ten WRC events in Wales, but it's going to be more difficult this year," he confirmed. "There is definitely the plus of the team being on a home event and knowing how to win it and Petter, in particular, has the confidence of being a three-times winner.

"That said if the weather is sunny, it's likely to be a leveller for the field as few of the top drivers have experience of the event in the dry. In terms of tyres too, it will be a compromise as we can't cover every eventuality that the British weather could throw at us!"

Solberg meanwhile is looking forward to the event, but he knows given the form of Sebastien Loeb, Citroen and Michelin, winning it will be anything but easy.

"It's a very special rally for both me and the team as we have very good memories of the event. We have won the event many times - I won my first-ever rally there and then a year later the championship, so for sure I enjoy it very much," he added.

"This year will be different from other years though. The plan and objective is to win, but we have to be realistic. It has been a difficult season for us, and we have to hope that we have more success than we have had at other gravel events."

Marlboro Peugeot Total:

[Marcus Gronholm, car #7 and Markko Martin, car #8].

Marcus Gronholm has said that he has 'every intention of giving it his absolute best' this weekend. The Finn is very fond of the Welsh stages, even if he has failed to finish since winning it outright in 2001, with the 206 WRC.

"I do like the Welsh stages," he confirmed. "The conditions in some events can change significantly from one day or even one stage to the next, but the Rally GB stages rarely spring any surprises; they are practically always tough and extremely slippery. The event's new'ish [September] date could obviously change all that however."

Markko Martin meanwhile has competed on the Rally GB a number of times, his best results coming in 2002 when he finished second. Last year he was third, nearly three minutes behind winner, Petter Solberg and runner-up, Sebastien Loeb.

"Wales Rally GB is an event I really enjoy, but I have frequently encountered problems in the past," he pointed out, "as in 2001 and 2003 when I retired because of mechanical trouble.

"I didn't have much luck last year either [despite taking the final spot on the podium]. That said, the stages suit my driving style and I know I can be competitive over this type of terrain. My objective is to give it my very best and I sincerely believe I have a chance of going well this time round."

Mitsubishi Motor Sports:

[Harri Rovanpera, car #9 and Gigi Galli, car #10]

Mitsubishi believe that they can put in their best performance of the season on the Rally GB, something that will give them a boost ahead of their home event - Rally Japan, in two weeks time.

"We are expecting to show our best performance before Rally Japan," confirmed team boss, Isao Torii. "Harri has always shown good pace on Rally GB, he has good confidence in the car and is ready to go for it now that we have also demonstrated our reliability. Gigi has only ever completed the recce for this event, so again it will be a rally to gain experience. But, he showed in Germany that he has regained his confidence and can go at a good speed. I am expecting him to finish the rally and we are not pushing pressure on him for a top result. We had a good test for this event, Japan and Australia, the team is very motivated and we have confidence in the technical side. My expectation is to take a good result to Rally Japan."

Harri Rovanpera is also feeling quietly 'confident'. The Finn, who has contested Rally GB no fewer than nine times and has always had a good run through the British forests. He was on the podium in 1999 - in third position, and went one better in 2001 when he claimed second overall. Last year he finished sixth.

"I like this rally and have good memories from the old times, when the weather made conditions so difficult and the rally was much longer; then, it was very interesting!" said Rovanpera. "Now the event is much shorter and has the type of stages I really enjoy. Hopefully the weather will be good and, for the tyres, as long as we have either dry or wet conditions, then the choices are quite clear. But, I think we have good Pirelli tyres for this event anyway. Basically we will run the same car as Finland, with finalised settings from our recent test. I'm quite confident we can push hard in GB."

Skoda Motorsport:

[Armin Schwarz, car #11 and Colin McRae, car #12]

Skoda will be in the spotlight this weekend following the decision to hire 1995 World Rally champion, Colin McRae to drive their second car.

Although the Scot hasn't competed in the WRC since 2003, he is still an extremely popular and well-known figure, especially in the UK, and with Armin Schwarz in the other car, the Czech manufacturers will benefit from the most experienced partnership in the entry list - with 257 WRC starts between them and 26 wins.

"I think that everyone is very excited about this event and the amount of interest being shown in Skoda Motorsport shows we made a good choice of driver," stated team boss, Martin Muehlmeier. "I hope that we can now get the result that everyone wants."

McRae meanwhile has predicted that he should be able to get well inside the top ten on Sunday, when the three-day event draws to a close.

"I'm eager to get back into competing again and to do so on my home event is something very special for both Nicky [Grist - my co-driver] and myself," he revealed. "I'm looking forward to working with Skoda and helping to push the development of the Fabia WRC 05 along in a positive way. I'm not really thinking much about a specific result but I'd like to think that, even having been out of the WRC for a while, I can still drive a car quickly enough to get well into the top ten."

McRae was busy preparing for the event last week, conducting a major test in Scotland. He also took in the Park Systems Rally, as the course car.

Production Car WRC:

Of the 21 Production Car World Rally Championship crews 11 have opted to contest the Wales Rally GB.

Amongst the front runners will be current championship runner-up, Nasser Al-Attiyah, who is 5 points behind Toshi Arai, who will not contested the event.

Marcos Ligato will also be up there in his Subaru, he is joint third in the PCWRC standings, while Angelo Medeghini and Karamjit Singh will also probably figure near the front end of the pack, the former having traded in his Mitsubishi Lancer for an Impreza since the last PCWRC event back in July - the Rally Argentina.

Other entries include Fabio Frisiero, Joakim Roman, Hamed Al Wahaibi, Aki Teiskonen, Brice Tirabassi, all in Subaru Impreza's and Natalie Barratt and Riccardo Errani.

Eight drivers will be in Imprezas, two in Lancers [Barratt and Errani] and one in a Proton Pert [Singh].

Barratt will have a new co-driver for this event, after Carl Williams picked up an injury in the Junior WRC in Germany. She will therefore now link-up with Kaj Lindstrom, former co-driver of four-time World Rally champion Tommi Makinen.

"I'm really happy Kaj will be joining me; he's one of the best," noted Barratt. "His experience will be invaluable and I'm really looking forward to having him alongside me for my home round."

Other significant entries:

87 crews have entered the Wales Rally GB in total.

Amongst the other significant runners are: Antony Warmbold (Ford Focus WRC 04); Henning Solberg (Ford Focus WRC 04), Stephane Sarrazin (Subaru Impreza WRC 2005), Mark Higgins (Ford Focus RS WRC 03); Manfred Stohl (Citroen Xsara WRC), Matthew Wilson (Ford Focus RS WRC 03), Xavier Pons (Citroen Xsara WRC), Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Focus WRC) and Nicolas Bernardi (Peugoet 206 WRC).

Rising Junior WRC stars, Kris Meeke and Guy Wilks will also take part, the former in a Subaru Impreza, while the latter will contest the event in his Suzuki Swift - as will his team-mate, reigning Junior champion, Per-Gunnar Andersson.

Last year's British Rally champion, David Higgins will also be in action, out in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.

Schedule:

The rally follows a virtually identical route to 2004 through the forests of south Wales. However, several stages have been shortened to comply with the FIA's maximum distance and the long Resolfen test on the final day will run in the opposite direction to last year.

The main innovation is the introduction of a 1.10km test in Cardiff's 50,000 capacity Millennium Stadium on Saturday evening to replace the city's traditional super special stage. The arena's sliding roof will be closed to make this the first indoor stage in WRC history.

After a ceremonial start in Cardiff on Thursday evening, Friday's opening leg is the longest, comprising two loops of stages in Brechfa and the Vale of Neath Forests. Saturday's competition is located further north, close to the Epynt military land, near Brecon. The final day returns to the Vale of Neath, the last test ending in the famous Margam Park.

There are 17 stages covering 354.22 km of competition in a route of 1252.25 km.

Hot tip:

Petter Solberg has won the event the last three years on the trot. However he is likely to face stiff competition this weekend from current WRC hot shot, Sebastien Loeb and Marcus Gronholm. Who will win is to close to predict, but given his form this year, Loeb will be very, very hard to beat. Also having been the bridesmaid in 2003 and 2004 the Frenchman has an added incentive to go for victory.

Last year:

Petter Solberg won the event last year after taking the lead from Sebastien Loeb in the penultimate test. Markko Martin completed the podium with Carlos Sainz and Francois Duval fourth and fifth respectively. There were five 'works' retirements - including Marcus Gronholm, Armin Schwarz, Daniel Carlsson, Jani Paasonen and Jani Tuohino.