ONE of the region's sporting calendar highlights has been brought forward.

The countdown to this year's Dayinsure Wales Rally GB has begun with organisers revealing a date change for the autumn Welsh leg.

The first stage of the event, which last year attracted hundreds of fans to Tir Prince Raceway in Towyn, for the start of three days of unmissable World Rally Championship action, took place on October 26.

Organisers attending the official launch of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship at last weekend’s Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC revealed that Dayinsure Wales Rally GB 2018 will take place October from October 4-7.

While there is nearly nine months of thrilling world championship action before the WRC returns to Wales, there is less time for fans to wait than in recent years as Dayinsure Wales Rally GB has advanced from the penultimate to the 11th round on the calendar. As a result, it has moved forward by three weeks to a new date at the start of October.

Dayinsure Wales Rally GB Managing Director, Ben Taylor, said: "The stars really aligned last year with Sébastien Ogier and the M-Sport team clinching their respective World Championship titles and Elfyn, of course, winning the event outright. Now, judging by the incredible anticipation from all those at the WRC launch, we are going to be treated to a repeat performance come October.”

Tickets for the 2018 Dayinsure Wales Rally GB will go on sale when the competitive route is revealed in April.