Cambrian Rally boosts Conwy county economy

Oct 22 2009

A MOTOR rally which will be televised worldwide has given a massive boost to tourism in Llandudno and Conwy Valley.

Last weekend’s Lewis and HunterCambrian Rally was the biggest event of its kind in Europe this year, attracting over 170 competitors from as far away as Australia and the Middle East including leading World Championship contenders.

As a result, video footage of the event will be used extensively on satellite TV both here and abroad.

"It’s impossible to calculate the value of an event of this kind in terms of the publicity it has generated. You can’t buy advertising like this," said David Williams chairman of Llandudno Hospitality Association.

Thousands of spectators flocked to the resort and to the forests at Penmachno and Clocaenog near Cerrigydrudion where the competitors battled it out on special timed stages.

They were treated to the spectacle of current world championship leader Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen in a BP Ford Abu Dhabi WRC Ford Focus RS powering through the forests as a warm up for Rally GB which starts in Cardiff today (Thursday).

Mikko said: "It was useful to have the opportunity of driving in Wales on gravel roads of a type we'll see on Rally GB. I tested for three days in the north of England earlier in the week but the Cambrian was more of a proper practice, a bit like driving a normal leg of a WRC event. We didn't have any problems and I felt comfortable with the feeling in the car. "The last stage was almost 30 kilometres, so that sort of practice really helps with the long stages that we'll have on Rally of Great Britain."

He and fellow world championship competitors, including Norwegian Mads Ostberg who won the event, praised the rally organisers the North Wales Car Club saying the organisation and facilities were first class.

"It’s very gratifying to know that all the hard work we put in was appreciated, and that competitors and spectators are taking away with them a good impression of North Wales.

"We are very grateful to the Forestry Commission for making available the special stages without which we wouldn’t have been able to run the event," said clerk of the course Alyn Edwards.