Mid Wales will once again sing to the sound of the world’s best rally cars as the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB takes place next week (October 4-7).

As it has in recent years, the 11th round of the FIA World Rally Championship will be based out of Deeside in North Wales and in a change to the schedule, will visit classic Mid Wales stages such a Myherin, Sweet Lamb Hafren, Gartheiniog and Dyfnant on Saturday, with an early afternoon regroup on Newtown High Street.

The Mid Wales stages will be sandwiched between two days of tests in North Wales, on Friday and Sunday.

Twelve months ago, the event was a special one for Welsh motorsport fans, as Elfyn Evans, from Dolgellau, claimed his first WRC victory driving the M-Sport Team’s Ford Fiesta WRC.

The 29-year old, co-driven by Daniel Barritt, has not finished on the podium since round six of this year’s series in Portugal but on his home stages will be hoping for success next week, driving in the team alongside reigning World Champion Sebastien Ogier, who wrapped up his fifth crown in Wales last year.

“There were some pretty amazing emotions last year and it’s going to be a bit strange going back,” said Evans. “It’s been tough this year and pretty frustrating at times. There’s been the odd issue here and there, some punctures and things like that which have cost us the chance of some good results.

“There’s been the odd high, the second place in Portugal was good, but it’s definitely fair to say that this season hasn’t gone the way we’d hoped.

“Competing at home always brings a special motivation. The fans were amazing last year, seeing so many people out and about was incredible and I hope it’s going to be the same this year.

“In terms of what we can achieve from the rally, the target is definitely to chase another victory.”

Aberdovey ’s Tom Cave will also return to the driving seat for his home round of the WRC, co-driven by James Morgan in a Hyundai i20 R5 machine, while a number of local crews will be in action in the packed national field which competes on stages on Friday and Saturday.

Newtown’s Keith Jones and Tad Evans along with Alun Horn and Ian Beamond will each compete in their Subaru Imprezas.

Alwyn Passant and Denny Harris will be in action in their Ford Escort Mk2 while Phil Jones and Clive Jones will compete in a Ford Escort.

Meanwhile young and up and coming Newtown crew Eliott Stafford and Lewis Sim will drive their Toyota Celica in their first Wales Rally GB.