CLASSIC local stages will welcome Britain's best rally drivers to the start of a new season this weekemd.

British Rally Championship returns for action-packed season on the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, which takes place this Saturday, February 16.

A new season, and a new challenge awaits the British Rally Championship crews as the 2019 curtain-raiser is finally upon us, with the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally providing an exciting first encounter of the campaign.

The popular one-day Llandudno-based event offers up some of the best gravel stages in the world and will be a new rally for the BRC in 2019.

Classic stages like Clocaenog and Alwen are favourites on Wales Rally GB and now they feature in the Cambrian event, as the cast from Britain’s premier rallying series go head-to-head and against the clock over 53 competitive miles.

Leading the BRC runners away will be defending champion Matt Edwards and new co-driver Patrick Walsh.

The M-Sport pairing will be on home soil and the event is extra-special for Edwards as the stages are just a stone’s throw away from his home in Llandudno.

He will be keen to have a strong showing at home to launch his title defence.

“There is always the pressure of competing at home,” said Edwards.

“I felt it a little bit on Rally GB last year, but the Cambrian will be the big one for me.

"It’s the event I would dearly love to win.

"Of course I will be thinking of the title again, so I would be happy with a top-three to get the year up and running.

"It’s great to see the Cambrian as part of the BRC.

"I remember when the Vauxhall Rally of Wales came here, and it’s great to see the event go back to that sort of scale again.

"It’s going to be a brilliant way to kick-start a great calendar for the BRC.”

Cars will be at Clocaenog for stage one (9.22am) and stage seven (3.30pm).

They will compete at Alwen for stage two (10.01am) and stage six (2.42pm).

Further information is available from www.cambrianrally.co.uk