Brian Roberts asks ... "After 64 years, I wonder what is so special about this year’s Cambrian Rally for it to close Mostyn Street and so many side roads?"
This year was the first time ever for the event to be a round of the British Rally Championship, and was fully supported by Conwy County Borough Council and the Llandudno Town Council, who were the instigators of holding the event right in the public eye by closing off the town centre. This is an arrangement often found on European events, the most notable one being the Tour of Ypres in Belgium, but was the first time that a town centre has been used in this way in Britain - several events have used town centres for starts or finishes, but never to this extent.
The publicity this has gained is immense and has shown Llandudno all round the world as a place for major events. This year's Cambrian attracted competitors from Chile, Argentine, Spain, USA, Cyprus and the Channel Islands as well as all corners of the UK and Ireland, and spectators from all over Europe ... the top three drivers were Welsh, Scottish and Irish whilst the National B event top three were Scottish, English and Irish!
Llandudno is fast becoming a top place for major events thanks to the Events Department, including cycling and athetic events which have closed roads ... and the Wales Rally GB looks to be based here later this year - the Cambnian was a huge learning curve in preparation for that event.
For the team at North Wales Car Club, and all the assistance from other motor clubs in the North-West, this was a major operation and a lot of issues happened along the way, but in the end it has come out as a very successful and highly-praised event.