JUBILANT organisers say Wales Rally GB was a ‘great success’ and put Llandudno on the world stage.
And David Williams, chairman of Llandudno Hospitality Association, said they must now push to bring similar activities to the area.
He said: “Events like this are becoming increasingly important. People do need that extra reason to come and visit. I am very pleased Conwy County Borough Council increased their events budget, and it seems to paying dividends.
“The main point of the day was for people to enjoy the rally. But more than that, you couldn’t buy the marketing value. TV audiences throughout the world will be seeing Llandudno - something which the private sector or the council could never afford.”
Although some local hoteliers and shops reported only minor improvements in business, Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg Robbins, was optimistic rally fans who flocked to Llandudno for the race would return.
He said: “According to marketing information a large number of people who come to the area for one day events tend to think ‘this is nice’ and come back. And with the weather being so fantastic it really showcased the area.”
The Welsh Government has put upf £1.4 million to bring the rally to Wales next year.
Mostyn Street was closed off as stars including world champion Sebastian Loeb and Kimi Riakkonen blasted down the high street to launch the event, waved off the starting line by Victoria Centre manager Sue Nash and Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Greg Robbins.
Once the street celebrations came to an end, it was straight down to racing, which included a stage around the Great Orme's challenging Marine Drive.
The Toll Road test, a tight tarmac section offering minimal room for mistakes with high kerbs and a spectacular drop over the clifftops to the Irish Sea, caught out Citroën's Sébastien Ogier who smashed a wheel and brake disc on the first run through, effectively ending his rally and any hope of keeping Ford's Mikko Hirvonen away from his fellow Citroën team mate Sébastien Loeb.
Day One also took in the wooded Clocaenog stage, which saw early drivers benefitting from a daylight advantage.
At the end of the first day of racing it was Loeb in the lead with a time of 14m38.0s.
Of the 74 starters who began Wales Rally GB in Llandudno on Thursday, just 40 were classified at the end of the four-day,1860km rally which featured 23 timed special stages as it wound its way from the north coast to the ceremonial finish in Cardiff.
Finland's Jari-Matti Latvala and co-driver Mikka Anttila in their Ford Fiesta WRC won the rally, 3min 42.9 seconds ahead of Norway's Mads Ostberg.