Rally GB confirms 2012 route

Organisers of Rally GB have confirmed the route for Britain's round of the World Rally Championship. As predicted by AUTOSPORT, the itinerary includes a first ever visit to the Celtic Manor hotel, where a superspecial stage will be run on the second evening of the event. The central service will return to Cardiff, with a remote service held in Newtown on Friday lunchtime. The qualifying stage runs in Walters Arena in south Wales on Wednesday September 12, before the ceremonial start in Llandudno on the north coast the following evening. Friday will be a tough, top-to-bottom drive through the country, including stages in Dyfnant, Hafren (including Sweet Lamb) and Myherin ' all run twice before arriving in Cardiff later that night. Saturday and Sunday are slightly easier days running out of central service in Cardiff, with Crychan, Epynt and Halfway confirmed for day two and Port Talbot (formerly known as Margam Park), Rheola and Walters Arena (which will be the powerstage) on the final day. Rally GB chief executive Andrew Coe said: "In such a pivotal year for Britain and its role as a venue for world-class sport, it's a real privilege to be able to take Wales Rally GB to Celtic Manor Resort this year, as well as continue last year's initiative of delivering a truly pan-Welsh route. "We made huge strides forward last year in terms of embracing the whole of Wales with our route and we have tried hard to build on that this year, while also bringing more innovation and fresh-thinking to the event."