THE region is all set for this year’s Wales Rally GB.

Described as a “blockbuster” by event organisers, it will include a new route, a tight battle for the World Rally Championship (WRC) and a home winner set to be crowned for the British Rally Championship (BRC).

The rally kicks into gear tomorrow night (Thursday) with the opening under lights at Towyn’s Tir Prince Raceway, before heading to the slate mountains for the first time in a Wales Rally GB event and making its way into the Denbighshire county with four speed tests on Friday - two in each Brenig (8.32am and 3.13pm) and Clocaenog (7.56am and 2.37).

On Saturday the race heads to mid-Wales, before concluding with a circuit around Llandudno’s Great Orme on Sunday and the ceremonial finish on the promenade.

The managing director of Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, Ben Taylor, said: “There really is something for everyone.

“We have an unsurpassed breed of stunning cars, the most exciting title race in memory, a local hero in Elfyn Evans, all the classic stages in the Welsh forests plus an amazing finish on the streets of Llandudno – it adds up to an incredible four days of epic entertainment.”

More than 150 competitors will be based in the Deeside rally village, with those contesting round 11 of this year’s 13-round FIA WRC.

Wales Rally GB will consist of 23 speed tests totalling almost 200 miles (312kms) spread over four days of high-speed action.

Homegrown hero Elfyn Evans became the first Welsh driver to win the rally last year and he will be looking to make it successive titles this year.

Rhos-on-Sea driver Matt Edwards will look to claim the BRC title in his home rally.

Edwards comfortably leads the BRC, having won all three of the other stages this year.

Full information on the rally and tickets can be found at www.walesrallygb.com and via the event’s social media channels.