Rally GB

First run in 1932, Rally GB is one of the oldest rallies in the world and was known for many years as the RAC Rally. Since the WRC was established in 1973 Rally GB has been a qualifying and scoring round and this year's entirely Cardiff-based event will be the 65th edition.

From its early beginnings as a national event that roamed around the country and included stages in the North-East, Scotland, the Lake District, the North-West and the Midlands, it has developed, particularly since 2000, into a compact spectator-friendly event with double-usage of stages on each of the three competitive days.

Cardiff continues to host the ceremonial start and the finish and now the service park - which has been moved from Swansea to Cardiff Bay - on all three days.

The gravel forest stages of south and mid-Wales are fast and flowing and, when wet, can become as slippery as any in the world. As well as the forestry roads, the event features stages on exposed military land to the north of Brecon, which are prone to fog. Accurate pace notes are essential throughout.

New for 2009

Scheduled almost two months earlier in the calendar than the wintry 2008 event, this year's Rally GB has the potential to be a warmer challenge. But a country famed for its lush greenery needs rain - and in October that's still a possibility.

The all new service park in Cardiff Bay also provides a new Rally HQ in the adjacent Wales Millennium Centre (www.wmc.org.uk). The Thursday evening Start and Sunday afternoon Finish will also move to Cardiff Bay (www.cardiffbay.co.uk).

Friday's remote service area in Builth Wells will be located undercover within the Royal Welsh Show Ground.

Sweet Lamb stage (SS's 2 and 5) on Friday has improved spectator viewing; Halfway stage (SS's 9 and 12) on Saturday will run in the reverse direction to 2008 and Walters Arena is included in the double-run of the Rheola stages (SS's 14 and 16) on Sunday 25th.

As well as the season closer for the WRC competition, Rally GB will also be the decider in the P-WRC and the Ford Fiesta Sporting Trophy International Championships.