Wilson welcomes '09 Rally GB route

The route, set to be launched officially on June 29 but detailed below, is 15 per cent different from last year.

The headline change is the switch away from the Millennium Stadium, due to the unavailability of the venue. This year, rally headquarters and the service park will be in the Cardiff Bay area of the city, with Swansea (formerly the home of the service park) playing no part in the event.

Stobart Ford driver Wilson is particularly pleased that the mid-Wales stages remain on the itinerary.

"It looks like a good route," said the Cumbrian. "The stages are all good, but it will be really nice to get the chance to look at those stages in mid-Wales again.

"With all the snow and ice around, we didn't really get the chance last season. Hopefully, running a bit earlier in the year, we might get some decent weather in Wales this time."

Rally GB itinerary

Thursday October 22
Ceremonial start - Cardiff 1830

Friday October 23
SS1 Hafren 1 (32.14km) 0955
SS2 Sweet Lamb 1 (5.13km) 1036
SS3 Myherin 1 (27.88km) 1054
Remote service - Builth Wells
SS4 Hafren 2 (32.14km) 1404
SS5 Sweet Lamb 2 (5.13km) 1445
SS6 Myherin 2 (27.88km) 1503

Saturday October 24
SS7 Rhondda 1 (35.57km) 0833
SS8 Crychan 1 (14.86km) 1031
SS9 Halfway 1 (18.37km) 1058
Service - Cardiff
SS10 Rhondda 2 (35.57km) 1456
SS11 Crychan 2 (14.86km) 1654
SS12 Halfway 2 (18.37km) 1721

Sunday October 25
SS13 Port Talbot 1 (17.40km) 0828
SS14 Rheola 1 (22.40km) 0927
SS15 Port Talbot 2 (17.40km) 1108
SS16 Rheola 2 (22.40km) 1207
Finish - Cardiff 1440