Big sporting event roars into Welshpool this weekend

Dozens of motorsporting teams are heading to the Welshpool area to compete in this weekend’s Welsh Borders Hill Rally, which gets underway Friday and finishes on Sunday.

The event will attract hundreds of people into the area to provide a welcome shot-in-the arm to the local economy, and there are plenty of opportunities for local people to get up close to the action.

Some local public roads will be closed as various organisations and council departments pull together to ensure its smooth running.

“The Hill Rally will have an array of 4x4 vehicles from standard production cars to more exotic purpose-built specials,” said Neil Rogers, Deputy Clerk of the Course.

“The event will bring some much welcome business into the local area, and all we ask is that any spectators respect the local community, take litter home with them and park and drive sensibly.”

A total of 58 confirmed teams are on the entry list, including nine of the new Bowler Land Rover Defenders.

Based out of the Livestock Market (WLS), the vehicles will go through their scrutineering checks in Berriew Street Car Park between 10am-1pm tomorrow (Friday).

The first car will leave WLS at 3.10pm on Friday, waved off by Mayor Alison Davies. Stages 1/2 and 10/12 will have spectator access, details of which can be found in the programme available from Wales Air Ambulance at WLS, Scrutineering and Britpart Service in Newtown on Saturday.

Although the programmes are free, all donations will go to Wales Air Ambulance.

The Saturday stages will take place in Hafren Forest and then in Ceri Forest, close to Newtown, on Sunday. Service on Sunday will be back at WLS with spectators welcome.