Elfyn Evans, the toast of Wales last year when he won Rally GB, claims that the re-worked route for the event in 2018 represents a missed opportunity. He was especially critical of the organisers of the Deeside-based WRC–counting rally event for using what he says are the wrong roads. After the Welsh government adopted Westminster legislation devolving power to close roads to local councils, Britain's round of the WRC will this year include action on public roads for the first time.
But Evans said: "It's not a bad route at all, but there are a lot of road closures in there and maybe that's to the detriment of the route. Don't get me wrong, I can see the benefits of the road closure in places like Penmachno, but they shouldn't do it just for the sake of joining roads.”
Contrary to the last five years, the 2018 Rally GB route will only spend one day in mid-Wales for the first time in 21 years, with Friday and Sunday in north Wales to facilitate a return to the service park for lunchtime service on day one.
Evans added: "We all know the rally has to be based in the north for the hotels and service park infrastructure, but the stages for the rally are really in mid-Wales.”
However, Citroën star Kris Meeke disagrees. He is in favour of the revised Saturday, adding: "Saturday's a proper, proper day with Sweet Lamb, Hafren, Myherin, Dyfi and all those classic stages in one – that's really good. There are plenty of options for the spectators as well, hopefully we'll see plenty of people out there."
Rally GB managing director Ben Taylor said: "We've been working on this for a year, to create a fantastic, innovative route that changes the format of the rally for two main reasons: to address the concerns of the teams from previous years and to take this great event to the people to make new WRC fans."
He added: “I wouldn’t expect the drivers to comprehend all the nuances of creating a rally route, it’s not their job. But, over and above selecting challenging stages for the drivers’ entertainment, we have a load of issues to take into consideration and then we arrive at the best possible options for the whole event.”
