CLOCAENOG Forest will form a pivotal part of a major event later this year.

Two stages of this year's Dayinsure Wales Rally GB will run in the iconic forest, while Llyn Brenig and Llyn Alwen will also feature on the same day.

Closed public roads in Britain will be used to host world championship motor sport for the very first time this October.

The momentous milestone was confirmed on Monday with the announcement of an exciting, new-look competitive route for this year’s ground-breaking Dayinsure Wales Rally GB, which will run between October 4 and 7.

In its entirety, the 2018 route adds up to 23 stages totalling more than 200 miles of what promises to be electrifying competition.

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team racer Elfyn Evans said: “Last year’s Wales Rally GB was really special for me – an event I’ll remember for a long time to come.

"This year, everyone is working hard to make it even more spectacular with lots of classic stages and even more opportunities for people to see these amazing cars in action.

“It looks like a great route."

Taking advantage of the new closed roads legislation, the schedule for Friday, October 5 opens close to Ruthin in the classic Clocaenog Forest and then features two new stages, both using stretches of closed public highway to link forest sections together and create greater challenges. The first is an exciting new combination of last year’s Brenig and Alwen stages, the second is further west in the famous Penmachno Forest.

All three of these stages are repeated in the afternoon.

Adding to the spectator experience, Friday’s programme also includes an all-new stage at Slate Mountain at The Slate Caverns, where cars will run twice in quick succession, providing visitors with a double dose of WRC thrills.

Last year’s record-breaking event attracted more than 100,000 visitors and delivered £9.4 million of economic benefit to Wales.

The huge crowds had much to celebrate, too, as they roared local hero Elfyn Evans to a famous victory – the first win in WRC history for a Welsh driver and the first for a British driver on Rally GB since way back in 2000.

Full details of all tickets can be found at www.walesrallygb.com