Fire dancers and fireworks at Wales Rally opening

Fire dancers, autograph sessions, fireworks and rally cars will be a few of the elements that make up the opening ceremony for Wales Rally GB.

The night will be staged at Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay on Thursday November 13th in preparation for the World Rally Championship (WRC) stage in the Welsh forests. Top competitors in the rally will be part of the show.

Admittance to the ceremony is open to all ages and is free of charge. It is expected that a large crowd of people will take advantage of the chance to see WRC drivers and their cars up close.

Conwy’s cabinet minister for tourism, marketing and leisure councilor Graham Rees said about the event: “The number of spectators expected to come to enjoy the event will mean a valuable boost to the local economy, and I am confident it will be a fantastic evening filled with high-energy entertainment and of course the main attraction, the Wales Rally GB cars and competitors.”

When the gates open, visitors will be able to walk among the WRC cars that will be displayed on the rugby pitch.

Following this, there will be a special autograph session that features some of the top drivers in the WRC. Among these will be newly-crowned 2014 World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier and local favourite Elfyn Evans. Other rally icons will also be present for autograph signing, including Ari Vatanen, who was crowned as this year’s official Rally Legend.

After that will be a dramatic dance show titled Flame Oz, where circus work and imagery will be choreographed to an epic soundtrack. Cambria Welsh Marching Band will be leading a colourful flag procession, where senior and junior rugby players from Rygbi Gogledd Cymru will be carrying flags to represent all 27 countries that are competing.

Topping off the night, competition cars will be led over the purpose-built Wales Rally GB podium ramp before a dazzling fireworks display begins.

If that’s not enough, the public can also get free entry to the Wales Rally GB’s Ceremonial Finish in Llandudno on Sunday afternoon, where winners will receive awards.