2000 Rally GB plans announced

The provisional route issued by the event organisers, the Motor Sports Association, reveals a totally new look to the Rally, which now starts on Thursday and finishes on Sunday, with all four days on gravel Forestry Commission roads in Wales.

The 2000 event covers 915 miles (1473 kilometres) in four days.

The competitive part of the Rally covers 249 miles (401 kilometres) on 17 timed special stages.

Organisers hope that the start, finish and every special stage will start in daylight, helping competitors and spectators alike.

MSA director of major events & marketing Jonathan Ashman said: "This remains the most economical event in the World Championship, especially for a private crew. The route includes only four separate service areas, so it's possible to tackle the Rally with only one service van."

The Rally is based for the first time at Cardiff City Hall, where the superb venue plays host to pre-event activities, the start, finish and every overnight halt.

Each day's route has been designed so that spectators, media, competitors and service crews can reach their destinations with a minimum of delay.

Explained Ashman: "The stages are in groups of two or three, so that spectators always have a choice of where to watch.

"We have also tried to keep rally traffic away from the major roads, leaving these for spectators. In this way, we expect to avoid the congestion problems experienced on parts of the 1999 event."

The final special stage of the event (also the final stage of the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship) will be in Margam Forest, with its easy access from the M4 motorway and plentiful car parking.

This stage will be shown live on BBC Television.