Rallyfest is being run in conjunction with the Severn Valley National Rally, which is also based at the showground over the same weekend. The events will bring World Championship and British-based rally crews to mid-Wales for a day of action that will highlight the extended four day itinerary of 2011’s Wales Rally GB, which runs from 10th to 13th November.
Over the course of the day, open from 11am to 6pm, visitors to Rallyfest will be treated to live demonstrations and static displays by a variety of National, Group B, Historic and Suzuki Swift Rallycross cars, as well as a show by one of Europe’s leading stunt drivers, Terry Grant. The Severn Valley National Rally top finishers will also take to the Rallyfest demonstration area at the close of the day.
World Rally Championship teams will be supporting the event with cars and drivers – with rallying fans being given the opportunity to get autographs signed throughout the day. Official merchandise and clothing from World Rally Championship teams and Wales Rally GB will also be on sale.
As well as the cars, there will be a wealth of entertainment for the whole family, including live music, local food and drink and face-painting. Gaming and software company, Codemasters, will be showcasing the brand new rallying game for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC – Dirt 3 (released 24th May 2011), while Virtual Eventz will be providing driving simulators and Scalextric tracks for ‘wannabe’ rally fans and racers to have a go themselves.
Children’s entertainment will be provided by circus skills workshop company, Circus Dayze, and face-painting artist Looby-Lou, while Crazy Castle Hire will be bringing a bouncy castle to the event. While the kids have fun, adults can relax in the live music marquee with Birmingham-based Indie-rock band, The Breaking Ties, who will be previewing their new EP before its official launch on 3rd July.
Rallyfest 2011, supported by the Severn Valley National Rally, Powys Council and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, is free to attend. The Royal Welsh Showground is easily accessible via all major motorway networks (the M5 from the Midlands, the M6 and M56 from the North West, the M4 and M5 from the South West, London and the South East and the M42 and M5 from the North).
Wales Rally GB 2011 will be run over four days and will start with an opening test on the Great Orme on Thursday 10th November, taking in much of Wales, before finishing in Cardiff on Sunday 13th November.