Network Q RAC Rally of Great Britain

The last qualifying event of the World Rally Championship of 1955, November’s Network RAC Rally of Great Britain, is very likely (subject to what happens in the all-tarmac Spanish round a few weeks before) to be the deciding round of the series. All the major teams will be there, plus an array of the world’s finest privateers, some well sponsored and some having scraped together enough money to finance their entries.

As we go to press it is far too early to quote the leading competitors, for numbers have not been finalised and there will very likely be some last-minute changes. However, we can give you an approximation of the route and timetable. More detailed information, including entry list, map, stage list, timetable, programme and other spectator information will be available nearer the date in the form of a “Rallypak” which will be on sale to the public at strategic points around the route.

Please don’t venture out without a clear picture of where you intend going. Plan it well ahead and you will have more enjoyment and will be less likely to run into closed roads or get in people’s way. Note that some special stages will have temporary one-way systems in use around them.

The rally will be based at Chester, where the 1,448.88-mile route will start and finish. The start will be in the morning of Sunday, 19 November, that day having six special stages in parks and private estates with facilities specially catering for spectators. The day will end with a night stop at Leeds.

On the second day cars will go northwards through the Kielder forest complex, just entering Scotland before returning to Chester via the western side of the country and two special stages in the Lake District. At Chester that Monday evening, crews will have completed fourteen special stages.

On the Tuesday the rally will set out for Mid and South Wales, with two special stages to the East of Machynlleth, four more around Brechfa and to its East and one more further northwards. That night, the stopover will be back at Chester.

On the Wednesday, the final day of the rally, the special stages will again be in Wales, three in the Machynlleth area and four more in Coed Clocaenog. After that will come the short run back to Chester.