THE stage has been set for one of the biggest events of the petrolheads’ calendar in Llandudno.

Thursday, October 3 marks the first day of Llandudno’s new role as HQ for the Wales GB Rally.

Celebrating the milestone 20th running since the international event moved to Wales, the three-day event will welcome droves of supporters to the town for a notable boost to the autumn tourist trade as Llandudno plays host to the rally.

Wales Rally GB, round 12 of the hotly contested 2019 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), will have its busy headquarters in the waterfront Venue Cymru complex – also home to an interactive Big Bang exhibition.

The focal Service Park for all four major manufacturer-supported WRC teams will be based around the complex including Hyundai at the Mostyn Broadway Coach Park and Citroen, Ford and Toyota at adjacent car parks.

This development is a major coup for the town, as well as North Wales’ rally lovers, and builds on a fast relationship built between organisers and Conwy County Borough Council over recent years, after the international event relocated from it’s previous ‘Host County’ Deeside Industrial Park, Flintshire.

The town has featured prominently on the major sporting event’s itinerary, staging both Ceremonial Starts and Finishes and also made history last autumn when it pioneered the UK’s first World Championship motorsport on closed sections of public roads.

In another new addition for this year’s event, the Ceremonial Start will begin across the border at Liverpool’s Waterfront, while Colwyn Bay is also set to benefit with a family-friendly Saturday evening street stage set on the recently refurbished promenade of neighbouring Colwyn Bay.

For more information on the itinerary, routes and tickets, visit walesrallygb.com.