ROUTE IN DETAIL

Thursday October 27. Shakedown remains in Clocaenog forest with the ceremonial start and autograph session moving back to Eirias Park. Entry to the start is free for all. Friday October 28. Day one starts with Dyfnant returning to the opening day for the first time since 2012. The big news here is that Myherin, Sweet Lamb and Hafren will all run in the opposite direction from last season. This will be the first time the crews get to drive down the hairpins at the end of the Myherin test – and the first time Hafren and Sweet Lamb have run in that configuration since 1995. Usual regroup in Newtown splits the two loops.

Saturday October 29. Starts with returning classic, Pantperthog, three miles north of Machynlleth. This one is, however, closed to spectators – there’s simply not enough room for parking and access roads. Dyfi and Gartheiniog are both back and all this loop of three runs either side of a Corris regroup. The road back to Deeside includes a single pass of Aberhirnant before the route crosses the border for Cholmondeley Castle, which replaces Chirk Castle. The Cheshire test is very similar in nature to Chirk: an asphalt stage running through the grounds of a stately home, but it comes with easier access and better parking facilities. A regroup is planned after the Cholmondeley stage, conveniently located next to the spectator area – the plan is for this to become an additional autograph session with the crews engaging with the fans. Sunday October 30. Brenig and Alwen remain from last year, but the day’s mileage is boosted by the inclusion of Clocaenog. The Brenig powerstage is revised, with the end of the stage running in the opposite direction. The cars start from the flying finish and run alongside the lake before turning left into the woods, where they pick up last year’s route down towards the caravan park and onto the asphalt section. The finish will be in front of the crowds as the cars come back up towards the lake. The finish will be back in Mostyn Street, Llandudno.