One of Wales’ highest-profile international motorsport events, Rali Ceredigion, will take place over the weekend of September 2 and 3, with JDS Machinery confirmed as the new title sponsor.
As it did in 2019 and 2022, the event will start and finish in the Mid Wales coastal town of Aberystwyth, with a new route taking competitors into the Cambrian Mountains where they’ll experience some of the best closed road Tarmacadam stages in the world.
Once again, Rali Ceredigion will host a round of five major domestic and international championships – British Rally Championship, Protyre Motorsport UK Asphalt Championship, JD Tyres Welsh Tarmacadam Championship, TER (Tour European Rally) Series and FIA European Trophy – a line-up that is destined to attract top-level national crews and international entries.
The organisers are building on the success of the 2019 and ‘22 rallies to create a weekend festival of motorsport that is set to provide even greater benefits and opportunities for all involved.
Last year’s rally generated more than £2 million of additional income for Aberystwyth and surrounding areas. As it grows in reputation and status, the event is expected to provide increased economic benefits to local businesses this year.
Rali Ceredigion has pioneered a range of sustainability and environmental initiatives, including a ground-breaking carbon offset programme that saw last year’s event return a more-than carbon neutral outcome. It’s the first ever rally to introduce a class for fully electric vehicles and the only event in the UK to achieve FIA environmental management accreditation.
This year’s event will see a ceremonial start take place on Friday evening and the competitive distance increased to 100 stage miles, whilst the entry fee has been held at 2022 prices.
New stages that provide fresh challenges and explore previously unused stretches of road have been included. Cwm Ystwyth, with its classic moorland surroundings within the enchanting Elan Valley, Clywedog that utilises roads surrounding the famous Hafren Forest and Cwmerfyn, with its famous sequence of hairpins. The route also sees the return of previously established stages such as Nant y Moch and Devil’s Bridge.
The return of the spectacular Aberystwyth street stage will see competitors perform two runs, starting from the Promenade, heading through the town and past the castle to finish on the sea-front road. This high-profile feature provides entertainment for families and fans, whilst delivering benefits to the local retail and hospitality sector.
Organisers will continue to provide and develop a series of strategically positioned fan zones designed to offer spectators safe and premium viewing areas, accessed via an innovative park-and-ride scheme.
A comprehensive range of corporate hospitality packages, coupled to extensive branding, marketing and promotional opportunities, will be available to commercial partners, sponsors, local businesses and their guests.
Having supported both previous editions of Rali Ceredigion as a main sponsor, JDS Machinery has increased its involvement this year to become the event’s title sponsor.
“Having been associated with the rally since 2019 and seeing first-hand how much of an asset the event is on both a local and wider scale for West Wales, we are proud to become its title sponsors this year,” said JDS Machinery director Gary Davies.
Chairman of the rally’s organising committee Phil Pugh is excited by the prospect of this year’s event. “A big part of the event’s success has been our focus on sustainability. It’s helped drive innovative approaches to reducing its environmental impact and, with further initiatives in store for this year, we’re intending to continue to lead the way in this area.
“I extend a warm Rali Ceredigion welcome to JDS Machinery as our new title sponsor. It’s great to have such a successful local business on board and we look forward to working with them at such an exciting time in our rally’s history.”
