Rali Bae Ceredigion Official Programme

THE FIRST CLOSED ROAD STAGE RALLY IN WALES 08/09/2019

EVENT PROGRAMME

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CONTENTS

Page no.

Croeso/Welcome

02

Message from the Clerk of the Course

00

Welcome – Ceredigion Council Leader

00

About the rally

00 - 00

Introducing the organisers

00

List of officials

00

List of awards

00

Rally Ambassadors: Elfyn Evans

00

Ryland James

00

Nicky Grist

00

Dai Llewellin

00

Phil Mills

00

Amazing Aberystwyth

00 - 00

Aberystwyth university

00

Sponsors & supporters

00 - 00

Food Festival

00 - 00

Recycling and litter initiative

00 - 00

Entry list

00 - 00

Time schedule

00 - 00

Spectator information

00 - 00

Route maps

00 - 00

World class live coverage

00

Design a livery competition

00

Marshals make it happen

00

Getting connected with Rally Barbados

00

Driver’s quotes

00 - 00

FMP Championship

00

Official Merchandise

00

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CROESO/WELCOME TO THE GET CONNECTED RALI BAE CEREDIGION 2019 08/09/2019 We extend a very warm Welsh welcome to everyone who has joined us this weekend for the very first closed road stage rally ever to be held in Wales: the Get Connected Rali Bae Ceredigion.

Based in the historic west coast town of Aberystwyth, this brand new event represents almost two years of hard work by its team of organisers, who will this weekend realise what has been an ambition since the legislation to allow motorsport to take place on closed public roads in the UK was introduced in 2018.

access and viewing opportunities, together with commentary, toilets and catering facilities (further details of these zones are provided in this programme).

Other initiatives that set this event apart from others, include: live streaming direct from the stages, hosted by a world-class broadcasting team; a park-and-ride service from Aberystwyth to stages 3/7; a mini food festival at stages 4/8; an App that will provide a one-source point of reference for fan information and RALI, the event’s Recycling And Litter Initiative that will help us leave the Ceredigion countryside as we found it.

In fact, the highly experienced organising team But we could not have created this event without believe they’ve created something quite unique, as the invaluable contributions and support that we’ve this ground-breaking event sees 120 competitors received from a long and illustrious list of tackle 43 miles of stages against the stunning companies, organisations and people. We hope backdrop of the Cambrian Mountains and uses the that our gratitude for all they’ve done will be kind of roads where enthusiasts say: ‘wouldn’t it be reflected in the outcome of this weekend. great if you could close these off and run a rally’.

Now that’s exactly what’s going to happen!

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our competitors, marshals, officials and backroom Organisers are confident that as well as provide teams, who have worked tirelessly to ensure the competitors with some of the best roads they will event lives up to everything that’s been planned ever encounter, spectators will enjoy a memorable for. And finally, we thank you for joining us and and unique experience too. To achieve this, three supporting the first edition of what we hope to will specially created Fan Zones have been set up in become a celebrated annual occassion. carefully chosen locations that provide excellent

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MESSAGE FROM WAYNE JONES CLERK OF THE COURSE A few days after the change in government legislation was passed early in 2018, the idea to organise a closed road special stage rally in Wales was casually suggested during a conversation. The rest, as they say, is history…

Therefore, it’s with great pleasure – and a considerable amount of excitement – that I introduce you to the Get Connected Rali Bae Ceredigion and the very first running of a closed-road special stage rally in Wales.

Having assembled a highly experienced team of principal organisers, members from Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Newtown and Teifi Valley Motor clubs combined their resources to create a rally that will use some of the best rural asphalt roads the country has to offer. In fact, we believe that competitors will find the stages some of the most challenging and enjoyable to drive – ever!

We are truly indebted to a huge number of people without whose help this event would have never got off the ground. There are too many to list individually, but special thanks must go to Ceredigion County Council, Aberystwyth University and Aberystwyth Town Council, all of which have offered their help, facilities and support towards the running of this event.

We must also thank the communities, householders and landowners who live and work along or close to the rally route, for their cooperation and understanding of what we are trying to achieve.

Additional thanks goes to our title sponsor Get Connected. Their support has gone far further than that of a traditional corporate partner and their involvement and contribution is hugely appreciated.

And of course, a big ‘Thank You’ goes to all the marshals and volunteers who give up their time so selflessly and consequently, enable us to run this rally - whatever the Welsh weather may throw at us!

They really are the backbone of every motorsport event and we cannot thank them enough.

And finally, as Clerk of the Course, I would like to thank and congratulate all members of the organising committee who in the past 18 months, have turned what started as a seed of an idea into a groundbreaking reality. It is only when you get involved with the organising of an event such as this you realise just how much work is involved.

We hope you enjoy our event!

Wayne Jones Clerk of the Course

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WELCOME FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL On behalf of the county of Ceredigion, I wish you a very warm welcome to Aberystwyth and the spectacular coastline and stunning countryside that surrounds it.

Because of its aesthetic appeal, wide range of attractions, vibrant business community and awardwinning educational facilities, it is an area that’s no stranger to visitors. I am therefore delighted that the organisers of the Get Connected Rali Bae Ceredigion have chosen Aberystwyth as the event’s host town and I know the community will extend a warm Welsh welcome to competitors, teams and spectators.

I am aware that rally organisers have worked extremely hard to turn this brand new event into a reality and, because of that, I am confident it will be a success and bring a series of benefits to the local community. We therefore hope the rally will go on to become a prestigious annual occasion in Wales’ sporting calendar.

And finally, I wish the competitors, organisers and everyone involved with the rally a safe, successful and enjoyable weekend.

Eifion Evans, Chief Executive, Ceredigion County Council

O GROESO GAN BRIF WEITHREDWR CYNGOR SIR CEREDIGION Ar ran sir Ceredigion, estynnaf groeso cynnes iawn ichi i Aberystwyth ac i’r arfordir trawiadol a’r cefn gwlad hyfryd sy’n ei hamgylchynu.

Diolch i’w hapêl esthetig, ei hamrywiaeth o atyniadau, ei chymuned fusnes fywiog a’i chyfleusterau addysgol o’r radd flaenaf, mae’r ardal yn hen gyfarwydd â chroesawu ymwelwyr. Yr wyf felly wrth fy modd fod trefnwyr Rali Bae Ceredigion Get Connected wedi dewis Aberystwyth fel y dref a fydd yn cynnal y digwyddiad a gwn y bydd y gymuned leol yn estyn croeso cynnes i’r cystadleuwyr, y timau a’r gwylwyr.

Rwy’n ymwybodol fod trefnwyr y rali wedi gweithio’n ddyfal tu hwnt i wireddu’r digwyddiad newydd sbon hwn, ac oherwydd hynna rwy’n hyderus y bydd yn llwyddiannus ac yn dod â chyfres o fanteision i’r gymuned leol. Gobeithio fydd y rali yn mynd yn ei blaen i fod yn ddigwyddiad blynyddol o bwys yng nghalendr chwaraeon Cymru.

I gloi, dymunaf benwythnos diogel, llwyddiannus, llawn hwyl i’r cystadleuwyr, y trefnwyr a phawb sy’n ymwneud â’r rali.

Eifion Evans, Prif Weithredwr, Cyngor Sir Ceredigion

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ABOUT THE RALLY It all began with a chance conversation between a few of the event’s officials – that was before they became officials, of course – after legislation was introduced in Parliament to allow competitive motorsport events to take place on closed public roads on the UK mainland, without the need to apply for changes in the law and traffic acts.

Closed public road rallies have been held away from the UK mainland for decades, with events taking place in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Mull, Jersey and the Isle of Wight, although the superbly run and much revered Jim Clark Rally ran in the Scottish Borders up until a few years ago.

The first rally to take the opportunity of utilising the new government legislation guidelines in England took place in April 2018 in Essex and proved a resounding success – and it was this that inspired organisers to establish a brand new event. Consequently, the Get Connected Rali Bae Ceredigion is the first event of its kind in Wales.

With the roads across the Cambrian Mountain previously used for ’Night’ road rallies, they are well known as being fantastic to drive and the route has been carefully chosen to provide some of the best roads in the area. So, taking on board the guidelines from Motorsport UK (the governing body that overseas all racing and rallying in Britain) and with extensive liaison with the Police, Highways and local authorities, the dream started to become a reality.

Organisers set about producing the documentation and began planning. A team of experienced rally organisers and industry professionals was quickly assembled and the event started to take shape. Once the route and venues were established – thanks to the cooperation of Aberystwyth University and the use of their fantastic facilities – things really started to progress.

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The official launch took place in April at the University’s Arts Centre, when the concept of the event, its organising team and ambassadors – all household names within the sport - were introduced. With guests including local dignitaries, the University Principal and local MP Ben Lake, suddenly people started to take notice.

Such was the support from the local authorities, sponsors, organisations, media, local businesses and residents, the size and profile began to grow – and grow it did! So much so that when the invitation for entries was announced it took less than 48 hours for the 120 list to completely fill up, causing organisers to create a list of reserves.

Further details and initiatives were announced at a press event in August that took place at Bandstand on Aberystwyth seafront. These included information about the innovative Fan Zones and the park-andride scheme for spectators, plus the world class live streaming package, the RALI (Recycle, And Litter Initiative), the announcement of the winners of the ‘Design a Livery’ competition and of course, the event hashtag: #baewatch.

So here we are. The tie has come. We hope you enjoy the result of what started as a suggestion to become a brand new event in the British – and Welsh -motorsport calendar.

The Rali Bae Ceredigion is held under the General Regulations of Motorsport UK (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA) and the event supplementary regulations.

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INTRODUCING THE ORGANISERS Behind every motorsport event is a car club – and often it’s more than one – all of them affiliated to Motorsport UK, Britain’s governing body for the control and administration of competitive motorsport.

The car clubs involved with Rali Bae Ceredigion are all well established and their members have a vast back catalogue of experience to call on, having organised and run an extensive portfolio of rallies in the past.

• Newtown and District Automobile Club: The Club was formed in the early 1960s. Its events include the Mid-Wales Stages (featured as a round of many national championships – including the British), plus the renowned Eagle Road Rally and Holrus Targa Rally. Consequently, the Club’s involvement brings with it invaluable experience and expertise when it comes to running multi-venue stage events.

• Aberystwyth and District Motor Club: The Club has many years experience of organising road rallies in the area, including those that have used the same roads as the Rali Bae Ceredigion.

Therefore, the Club’s local knowledge and contacts are invaluable to the smooth running of the event.

• Lampeter and District Motor Club: Another Club with decades of experience of running successful road rallies in the area, it provides even more understanding of local conditions, PR and road management.

• Teifi Valley Motor Club: Having organised some of the biggest rallies to have ever used public roads, such as the Cilwendeg, the Club is also responsible for managing some of the stages on the Wales Rally GB, Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship.

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OFFICIALS OF THE EVENT All of the officials have extensive experience across a range of roles within the sport; from organising local events through to competing at the highest level.

Motorsport UK Safety Delegate Andy Gilmore Stewards Appointed by Motorsport UK Gareth Thomas Stewards Appointed by the Clubs Keith Ashley, Dave Evison Clerk of the Course Wayne Jones Deputy Clerks of the Course Andrew Kellitt, Eurig Evans Asst. Clerk of the Course & Route Co-ordinator Andrew Edwards Secretary of the Meeting & Chairman of the oganising committee Phil Pugh Entries Secretary Caroline Rogers Chief Marshal Paul Jones Assistant Chief Marshals George Edon, Gary Davies Chief Safety Officer Euros Hughes Spectator Safety Officer James Davies Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alaric Hicks Radio Controller Alan Stoneman Commercial Manager Charlie Jukes Recce Manager James Morgan Environmental Scrutineer Rob Duke Chief Scrutineer Clive Greeves Assistant Scrutineers Rich Williams, Alan Clancey, Vince Brown, Chris Higgs Competitor Liaison Officer Craig Parry Event Security Diogel Ltd. Residents Pass Co-ordinator Rich Williams Chief Timekeepers Mike Griffiths, TBA Treasurer Delyth Scudamore Press/Media Officer Matt Cotton PR & Marketing Glenn Patterson, Simon Slade Results & Timing Service AMC Rally Results HQ Venue & Service Area Commander Tim Harding, Delmi Davies Accommodation Coordinator Michael Gilbey Environment & Waste Control Officer Andy Davies Child Protection Officer Delyn Mair Landowner Liaison Officers Irfon Richards, Reian Jones FMP Rally Challenge Championship Secretary Terry Frayne

AWARDS 1st Overall 2nd Overall 3rd Overall 1st in each class 2nd in each class 3rd in each class The Viking Cup Dave Metcalf Award

Driver & Co-driver Driver & Co-driver Driver & Co-driver Driver & Co-driver Driver & Co-driver Driver & Co-driver For the highest finishing crew in classes H1, H2 and H3 combined (Donated by Viking Motorsport) Driver of th eDay

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RALLY AMBASSADORS The Rali Bae Ceredigion has been extremely fortunate to have attracted five event ambassadors, each highly successful and experienced in their own right. This quintet of well known Welsh rallying champions, brings with them years of knowledge in the sport and, as well as endorse this brand new event, they have also provided invaluable advice and support.

ELFYN EVANS Current M-Sport Ford WRC team driver, Elfyn from Dolgellau, is a true Welsh success story.

His rise from service manager in the family business to one of the world’s top professional rally drivers has been nothing short of meteoric – and it’s been achieved through hard work and determination. Inspired by his father, former British Rally Champion Gwyndaf Evans, rallying was always in the genes and it was inevitable that Elfyn would follow in the family footsteps.

Elfyn competed in his first rally in 2006 driving a Nissan Micra.

He went on to win the British Junior Rally Championship in 2010, before progressing through the ranks to compete at world level for the first time in 2013. He scored his maiden WRC victory in 2017, when he became the first ever Welsh driver to win his home round of the World Rally Championship.

This year sees Elfyn drive for the M-Sport team for the seventh consecutive season. Already this year he has shown what he is capable of by finishing fifth in Sweden, third in Mexico, third in Corsica, fourth in Chile, fifth in Portugal and fourth in Sardinia. He currently lies sixth in the championship.

Elfyn goes about his business with the highest level of professionalism, but like many of his fellow competitors, he doesn’t live the superstar lifestyle in Monaco, preferring his natural surroundings of mid-Wales. But don’t let his quiet nature fool you, he’s as competitive as any driver in the WRC and has just one aim in his sights: to become World Rally Champion.

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EVENT PROGRAMME RYLAND JAMES 2019 marks Ryland’s 50th year in the sport. Having competed in his first ever rally in 1969, this highly respected co-driver has taken part in no less than 590 events – that’s an average of 11.8 rallies per year – and he’s determined to reach 600 before he hangs up his helmet.

Ryland learnt his craft, as many did in the ‘70s, navigating on road rallies. He switched to forestry stage events in 1985 and went on to co-drive for some of the best national drivers around, in a variety of different cars. He continued to compete on a regular basis through the 1990s and 2000s and in the latter part of the decade, turned his attentions to historic category rallying in which he still competes.

In addition to his competitive outings, Ryland has also been an organiser and event official and is involved with the planning and running of endurance rallies. Between 2008 and 2011 he was the mid-Wales coordinator for the Wales Rally GB and has regularly escorted FIA delegates, including driving Michèle Mouton around the route as she carried out her official duties for the Federation.

His experience in the sport is second to none and therefore, The Cardigan Bay Rally organisers are delighted to have Ryland on board as one of the event’s five esteemed Ambassadors.

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EVENT PROGRAMME NICKY GRIST Nicky is probably best known for partnering the legendary Colin McRae in the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, his co-driving history goes back as far as the early 1980s, whilst his work within the sport continues to this day.

Like so many co-drivers that go on to become successful at the highest level, Nicky – from Ebbw Vale – began his competitive career as a road rally navigator, winning the Welsh 1300 and overall Welsh championships in ’82 and ‘83 respectively, before contesting a season in the national Motoring News Championship in ‘84.

In 1990 Nicky became a full-time professional, initially with Malcolm Wilson and Ford for the British Championship and three WRC rounds. He then joined Mikael Ericsson and Toyota for the Safari Rally in 1992, followed by Armin Schwarz and Mitsubishi for the WRC in 1993. He then switched to Toyota for Rally Argentina, where he recorded his first WRC victory with Juha Kankkunen. Two more wins in Australia and Great Britain secured his position in the official Toyota team for the following two seasons and he continued with Kankkunen in privately run Toyotas in 1996, the pair of them claiming a total of 13 podium results during the course of their partnership.

It was 1997 when Nicky famously joined Colin McRae in the 555 Subaru World Rally Team and in their first season together, they finished 2nd in the WRC and secured the manufacturers’ title for Subaru. In 1999 the pair moved to Ford for the next four seasons, when together they scored a total of 17 victories in the Focus WRC. In 2003 Nicky withdrew from full-time competition, but returned to the co-drivers seat for one-off outings and showcase events. He also went on to develop his career as a presenter on TV, radio and at ‘live’ events and partnered with Codemasters to create the highly successful Colin McRae Rally video game.

Working closely with Motorsport UK, Nicky is now a leading figure in the development of up-and-coming talent and competitor safety. He also runs his own motorsport clothing and equipment company, Nicky Grist Motorsport.

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EVENT PROGRAMME DAI LLEWELLIN Dai, from Haverfordwest, started his rallying career in slightly unorthodox fashion, by initially competing in Autograss races before moving into Karts when he was 15. Not long after, Dai felt he had achieved all he could in Karts and having watched the Cilwendeg Rally he was ‘blown away’ and immediately decided which direction his driving aspirations would now take. Having purchased a Ford Escort, he contested a series of road rallies, but found that his pace was sometimes too much for instructions called from a map and therefore headed to the stages – his first event a single venue event in South West Wales where he finished second overall!

Dai’s first full season was the Welsh Forest Championship in 1981, initially using the same car he had driven on road rallies. Swapping to a BDA Escort he started winning events and in 1983 entered the Autosport National Championship, which he went on to win in 1984 driving three different cars.

The timing of his National success was perfect, as Audi was looking for an up-and-coming youngster to drive its second car alongside Michèle Mouton in the 1985 British Championship. His first year as a professional driver was followed by another, when Dai was asked to drive the RED-run Metro 6R4 in the 1986 BRC, when notably he gave the car its inaugural international victory. It was also the first win at this level for the team and for Dai himself.

With Group B banned at the end of the year, Dai’s three-year contract with Austin Rover was cancelled and for 1987 he returned to Audi for two seasons. However, it was his move to Toyota in 1989 which saw him back on the top step of the podium and after winning all gravel events that season, he went on to become British Champion.

Adding an asphalt surface win to his tally in 1990, Dai made it two British titles in a row and then for 1991 joined Nissan for selected rounds of the World Rally Championship. However, with the GTiR proving less competitive than hoped, the programme was cut short leaving him without a drive in 1992.

Dai went back to the British Championship for the ’93, ’94 and ’95 seasons and secured the Formula 2 Championship for Vauxhall in all three of them. He then retired from full-time rallying in 1996, but stays connected to the sport he loves to this day. His only foray back into competition was the Neath Valley Historic Stages in 2012 driving Jonathan Brace’s Escort, when he won the event ahead of Juha Kankkunen in a similar car.

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EVENT PROGRAMME PHIL MILLS Another of Wales’ world-class co-drivers, Phil’s career has seen him go from a novice road rally navigator in 1984 right through to World Rally Champion in 2003, co-driving for Petter Solberg in the works Subaru. Phil was also the first ever Welshman to score an outright victory on the Wales Rally GB, again alongside the Norwegian superstar driver.

Having competed in local and national events in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Phil became Welsh National Champion in 1992 and 1993, and was appointed team coordinator for Ford at the RAC Rally of that year. In 1996 he partnered Mark Higgins in a factory-supported Nissan for a campaign in the British Championship, the pair of them going on to take the title in 1997.

Phil continued with Higgins for a series of international events in 1998. However, it was in 1999 when his partnership with Solberg began, when they contested five WRC events in a Ford Focus.

2000 saw the pair move to Subaru. They finished 10th in the championship that year, with the next 2002, ending in memorable fashion with that historic win on the Wales Rally GB. But it was 2003 that brought them the ultimate success and, after winning four rounds in Corsica, Australia, Cyprus and again in Wales, they became World Rally Champions.

Another five victories in 2004 and three in 2005 saw them finish as runners up in both years. The next four seasons delivered two fifth and two sixth place World Championship finishes, following which Phil took the decision to retire from full-time co-driving in 2010 to concentrate on setting up his rally car preparation business Viking Motorsport, based in Newtown.

In recent years, Phil has guest co-driven on a number of occasions and even filled in for an ill Daniel Barritt alongside Elfyn Evans in the 2018 Tour de Corse.

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AMAZING ABERYSTWYTH Aberystwyth and the surrounding countryside is an area of outstanding natural beauty and is one of Wales’ best-kept secrets. Whilst it is much loved by the holidaymakers who have discovered the region, there is little awareness of what the town and its spectacular surroundings has to offer outside of those who already know.

In fact, Aberystwyth is the ideal venue to host an event that represents a first for Wales, with the Rali Bae Ceredigion providing the inaugural running of a competitive stage rally on closed public roads in the Principality. It has the amenities, accommodation and is located close to the stages. Add to this the warm welcome the residents, businesses and organisations have extended to the organising team, it’s the perfect base for the rally.

Aberystwyth is the largest town in Wales and has a legitimate claim to be the country’s cultural capital, with its award-winning University, the hugely respected National Library and Arts Centre being a focal point for contemporary Welsh language and culture.

The prestigious National Library of Wales holds the country’s largest collection of books, maps, archives, bibliographies, pictures, photographs and rare manuscripts. It also hosts guided tours, events and several different exhibitions at any one time.

The town’s impressive Victorian seafront promenade provides a go-to destination all year round, with holiday makers, students and local residents all regular visitors to the esplanade and the beach that exudes a unique ambience – both during the day and at night. The promenade also boasts a pier and historic bandstand, where regular shows and events take place throughout the year.

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At the southern end of the promenade are the ruins of Aberystwyth’s 13th century castle, founded by Edward I and used by Owain Glyndŵr as a revolutionary base in 1404.

For the best view of the town the steep Constitution Hill can be climbed either on foot, or aboard the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway, the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain that has been sparing weary legs since opening in 1896. On a clear day onlookers will be rewarded with views of Cardigan Bay and as far as Pembrokeshire.

South of Aberystwyth town centre is the Pen Dinas Hill Fort and nearby Wellington Monument that dates from 1852 and was erected in memory of the Duke of Wellington. The walk up to the summit provides views of both the Mid Wales coast and inland towards the Ystwyth and Rheidol river valleys.

And then there’s the pubs, cafés, shops and thriving community that provide a buzz to a town that sits between the might of the Irish Sea and the serenity of the Cambrian countryside. What’s not to like!

So if you have time whilst you’re visiting the area for the rally, we strongly recommend you take time to explore the town and immerse yourself in some of its history. But if you don’t have time, then why not come back when you’re not so distracted by one of the most significant sporting events to take place in the area for many years.

Welcome to Aberystwyth!

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ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY An award-winning centre of further education Organisers are delighted to have formed a partnership with Aberystwyth University, its availability, facilities and geographical position making it a perfect location at which to host the rally and consequently, its availability was a major factor in enabling the event to be based in the area.

This award-winning university located just outside the town has generously opened its doors to the rally, with its extensive campus that includes the National Library, providing a one-venue centre for the rally’s headquarters, start, finish and service park. Not only that, but its 3000+ bed accommodation, catering facilities and on-site retail outlets means that it provides a perfect base for teams, organisers and visitors too.

Students first attended Aberystwyth University in 1872 and were drawn by its idyllic location on the west coast of Wales, between Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. The University prides itself as a friendly, outward-looking community that inspires ambition and aspiration though its reputation for teaching excellence and exceptional student experience.

It has won the The Sunday Times University of the Year for Teaching Quality Award in 2018 and 2019.

www.aber.ac.uk

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SPONSORS AND PARTNERS We are indebted to all of our sponsors and supporting partners. Without them, this event would not be what it is today. Their input, encouragement and supply of a multitude of services has been nothing short of inspirational and not only underlined their commitment to this event, but their professionalism as an organisation – and for that we are extremely grateful.

TITLE SPONSOR Get Connected The Rali Bae Ceredigion is delighted to have Get Connected as its title sponsor for this year’s inaugural event.

Get Connected was established in 1992. Since then the company has gone from strength-to-strength and is now the UK's largest privately owned mobile phone retailer, with a turnover of £17m. It currently operates 55 retail stores – including one in Aberystwyth - has a call centre in Blackwood and a corporate sales team based at its Head Office in Abergavenny.

The company is rightly proud of its Welsh heritage and its 25-years of experience for getting people connected.

The company’s founder Damian Cole is no stranger to rallying and is a successful competitor in his own right. The six-times MSA Asphalt Champion has won closed-road events in the past, having recorded victories on the Jim Clark Rally in Scotland twice, on the Wexford Rally in Southern Ireland three times and the ALMC Stages (also in Ireland) once. Damian starts as car #5 this weekend. www.get-connected.com

MAIN SPONSORS Spencer ECA Established in 1991, Spencer ECA (Environmental Care Associates) has evolved over the years to become one of the most respected operators in the land maintenance and groundworks sector. It has built a reputation that has seen it working with many multi-national corporations, government agencies, local authorities, civil and utility companies, as well as smaller, private operations.

Headquartered at Llandysul, its wide range of services include all aspects of construction industry support and environmental management functions. Spencer also specialises in arboriculture work, the management and control of vegetation and a wide range of land-based operations.

In recent years it has become increasingly involved with the renewable energy sector helping to create many of the UK’s wind and solar farm installations and is a major provider of bio-energy products.

Always aiming to expand and explore new markets, this year has seen Spencer acquire Quantum Geotechnic, a national provider of geotechnical engineering and surveying services. www.spencereca.com www.quantumgeotech.co.uk

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EVENT PROGRAMME Monnow Marquees Based in Raglan, Monmouthshire, Monnow Marquees is owned and managed by Alan, John and Vicky Powell, this successful family team taking great pride that their company is recommended time and time again by their clients. Their services include advice, design, erection removal and even helping with the choice of location.

The company will also advise on the finishing touches and can arrange the hire of tables, chairs, linen, glassware, crockery and cutlery, drapes, themed decor, bar services and relaxation areas including sofas, occasional tables and furniture.

Monnow Marquees’ association with the event has seen them provide the impressive marquee on the Nant-y-Moch stage on the edge of the reservoir causeway that provides the venue for the event’s corporate hospitality. www.monnowmarquees.co.uk

Statkraft Founded in 1986, Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating.

Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Statkraft is wholly owned by the Norwegian state. It employs 3600 people in 16 countries and is a significant player in the European energy exchanges with cutting-edge expertise in physical and financial energy trading and origination. It also develops hydropower in emerging markets outside Europe.

The company currently manages the Nant-y-Moch Reservoir that lends its name to the second and sixth stages of the rally and is where the corporate hospitality for the rally is based. www.statkraft.com

PARTNER SPONSORS Cambrian Training Cambrian Training was established in Welshpool, Powys, in 1995 to deliver vocational skills that supported the development of the region’s tourism sector. Named after the famous Cambrian Mountains that rise through the heart of Wales, it was the communities, people and businesses within the region that was at the heart of what Cambrian Training was all about.

In 2002, a management buy-out saw the organisation become an independent company, led by an experienced team committed to maintaining its base in Mid Wales while expanding geographically.

Since then the company has expanded, widening its work-based learning and skills and apprenticeship programmes into hospitality, food and drink, manufacturing, retail, business administration, financial services, child care, health and social care, among others.

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EVENT PROGRAMME The company has gained an enviable reputation throughout the UK for delivering high-quality training and development programmes that in turn supported the growing tourism sector. Today, it works throughout Wales with a purpose-built headquarters at Welshpool, and offices at Holyhead, Colwyn Bay and Llanelli.

A sister company to Cambrian Training is Trailhead Fine Foods, who have kindly donated its increasingly popular Beef Jerky snack for the marshals’ goodie bags. www.cambriantraining.com

E&M Motor Factors Based in Aberystwyth and Cardigan, since March 2000 E & M Motor Factors has built a reputation for supplying quality parts and providing a reliable service to the motor trade and general public.

With several years experience in various main dealers and or working in a motor factors, its staff have experience and knowledge to supply car, tractor, digger, commercial and caravan parts for a variety of applications..

The team at E & M pride themselves on being a friendly bunch, with high standards of Customer Care and service. www.eandmmotorfactors.co.uk

Nicky Grist Motorsports Nicky Grist Motorsports was set up in 1995, when Nicky was co-driving for Juha Kankkunen in the works Toyota Castrol Team – and in his all-time favourite rally car, the Celica GT-Four.

It was 2006, the year in which he contested his final FIA World Rally Championship event (Rally Turkey, with Colin McRae in a Kronos Racing Citroën Xsara WRC) that Nicky’s focus moved to the retail and wholesale supply of Stilo helmets and intercoms and became the Italian brand’s UK distributor.

Since then, Nicky Grist Motorsports has developed into one of the most highly respected, trusted and go-to suppliers of Stilo products, P1 Advanced, Turn One, Simpson Sport Hybrid, Walero, Alpinestars and Stand 21 racewer, Monit Rally computers and an ever-increasing range of its own exclusive NG Brand products in the UK and beyond. www.nickygrist.com

LAS Recycling LAS Recycling is a waste recycling specialist, undertaking a range of recycling and waste management services. Based in Lampeter, with facilities located across Ceredigion, it is a family-run firm that has been operating for more than fifty years.

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EVENT PROGRAMME From household, agricultural and industrial waste recycling, to community recycling, skip hire, wheelie bin collections and material recycling, the company prides itself on its reliable and efficient service that is ideal for West Wales businesses that need a waste removal provider they can trust. Using a range of different containers, depending on customer requirements, dry mixed recycling, industrial waste and commercial waste can be collected.

Rally organisers are extremely appreciative of the service LAS Recycling are providing and for its help in developing the event’s RALI (Recycle And Litter Initiative) scheme to keep the area tidy and free from waste. www.lasrecycling.com

NRW Natural Resources Wales is the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body - employing 1,900 staff across Wales with a budget of £180 million. It was formed in April 2013, largely taking over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Environment Agency in Wales, as well as certain Welsh Government functions. It is responsible for the 12 nautical miles from the coastline. This area of 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 square miles) nearly doubles the size of Wales!

The Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre that is the spectator entry point for stages four and eight is owned and managed by Natural Resources Wales and event orgnaisers are grateful of the cooperation and support that has been extended by NRW towards the rally.

The centre sits at the head of a dramatic valley and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains. It is well-known for its long established tradition of daily feeding of red kites, Wales’s National Bird of Prey.

There is a range of trails for walkers, mountain bikers, and runners which are waymarked from the visitor centre. There is also a skills park with a purpose-built track for mountain bikers to practice their technique and a waymarked circular trail for horse riders along forest tracks, paths and quiet tarmacked roads. Bwlch Nant yr Arian has been awarded the Gold Award by Visit Wales for attractions which make an exceptional effort to create an enjoyable and memorable experience for their visitors. www.naturalresources.wales

Advancing Aberystwyth Advancing Aberystwyth ar y Blaen are a newly formed organisation set up to manage the Business Improvement District for the town. It is a business led organisation dedicated to making Aberystwyth a better place to live, work, and visit.

Its aim is to deliver a programme of projects targeted at improving the town’s trading environment, that are in addition to those already provided by other organisations. Advancing Aberystwyth is managed by a board of directors who give up their time to work as volunteers for the good of the town. www.advancingaberystwyth.co.uk

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EVENT PROGRAMME STAGE SPONSORS Palletforce/Owens Group Sponsors of stages three and seven Ystumtuen, Palletforce, Palletforce is the UK and Europe’s leading express freight distribution company with 100 members covering every postcode in the UK, 28 European countries and Asia. It connects members to commercial opportunities and offers sector-leading technology, delivery performance, service and infrastructure with its state-of-the-art SuperHub that is capable of handling 30,000 pallets of freight every night.

But it’s not just express distribution the company is leading; the company has WRC driver Kris Meeke as its brand ambassador, and sponsors leading British driver David Bogie – plus the Palletforce Motorsport team is attending Rali Bae Ceredigion this weekend. At the wheel of a Ford Escort Mk2 is Palletforce sales and marketing director Dave Holland, who’s hoping to have a very express run over the Cambrian Mountain stages. www.palletforce.com

Caws Cenarth Caws Cenarth is a family business started by Gwynfor and Thelma Adams in 1987 in response to Milk Quotas. Their farm, Glyneithinog, is set in the lush valley of the river Cych, where they drew on a sixgeneration tradition of cheesemaking and consequently, Caws Cenarth quickly established a reputation for its creamy, fresh-flavoured Caerffili.

Thelma soon became a leading light in the renaissance of Welsh artisan cheesemaking. These days, Gwynfor and Thelma take a back seat, allowing son Carwyn to run the business and indulge his passion for creating new cheeses.

Caws Cenarth is the oldest established producer of Welsh Farmhouse Caerffili. As well as the plain Caerffili, Caws Cenarth also produces other varieties, Garlic and Herb Caerffili and Smoked Caerffili.

More recently, Carwyn has developed new cheeses, including the Brie-like Perl Wen, a creamy blue, Perl Las, and Golden Cenarth, a washed-rind cheese with a powerful flower – and winner of the Supreme Champion accolade at the British Cheese Awards 2010.

In addition to sponsoring stages one and five – Bont-Goch - Caws Cenarth has also provided its products for the marshal’s packs. Consequently, their involvement with the event is very much appreciated. www.cawscenarth.co.uk

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EVENT PROGRAMME

LOCAL SPONSORS/PARTNERS Aled Ellis Braces Bakery Delmi Davies Electrical

Parking for park & ride scheme Marshals’ packs Professional services

Diogel

Security

Equi-Trek

Sponsor

Gwyndaf Evans Motors

Sponsor

HT Installations

Sponsor

Huw Lewis Tyres

Sponsor

Lynwood Mel Buses Mid Wales Scaffolding Park Lodge Hotel Radnor Hills

Vehicle Recovery Park & ride service Professional services Sponsor Marshals’ packs

RD Wales

Sponsor

Redesigns

Competition car wrap

RM Marketing Selwyn’s Crisps Shukers

Sponsor Marshals’ packs Official car supplier

Solid Designs

Event website

Steve Woods

Professional services

Trailhead Fine Foods

Marshals’ packs

Tregroes Waffles

Marshals’ packs

Windy Corner Buses Dalton’s ATV’s

Sponsor Quad bikes

Advertisers Causeway Plant CB Karting Wales JDS Machinery Philip Ling Estates Renewable Developments (Wales)

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